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VOLUME XVI MARCH. 1916 No. 8 

BULLETIN 

OF 

The New York State College of Forestry 

AT 

Syracuse Univer«ity 

A STREET TREE SYSTEM 
FOR NEW YORK CITY 

BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN 




Report to Honorable Cabot Ward, Commissioner of Parks, Borought of Manliattan 
and Richmond, New York City. By Laurie Davidson Cox, Assistant Professor of 
Landscape Elngineering, The New York State College of Forestry, with an intro- 
duction by Dr. Hugh P. Baker, Dean of The New York State College of Forestry 

Puhliahed Quarterlsf by the Univtrslly 
Entered at the Pottoffice at Syracute ai Kcond-cIaM matter 



If ovogTftpb 




Photograph by L. D. Cox. 
Lower Fifth Avenue. 

The charm of street trees on a busy thoroughfare. One of the few examples 
in Manhattan which recall the tree-lined business streets of London and Paris. 



VOLUME XVI 



MARCH, 1916 



No. 8 



BULLETIN 

OF 

The New York State College of Forestry 

AT 

Syracuse University 

A STREET TREE SYSTEM 
FOR NEW YORK CITY 

BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN 




Report to Honorable Cabot Ward, Commissioner of Parks, Boroughs of Manhattan 
and Richmond, New York City. By Laurie Davidson Cox, Assistant Professor of 
Landscape Engineering, The New York State College of Forestry, with an intro- 
duction by Dr. Hugh P. Baker, Dean of The New York State College of Forestry 

Published Quarterly by the University 
Entered at the Postoffice at Syracuse as second-class matter 






TRUSTEES 

OF 

THE NEW YOEK STATE COLLEGE OF FORESTRY AT SYRACUSE 
UNIVERSITY 



Ex Officio 

Dr. James R. Day, Chancellor Syracuse LTniversity 

Dr. John Huston Finley, Commissioner of Edu- 
cation Albany, N. Y. 

Hon. George D. Pratt, Conservation Commis- 
sioner New York City. 

Hon. Edward Schoeneck, Lieutenant-Governor . . . Syracuse, N. Y. 

Appointed by the Governor 

Hon. Charles Andrews Syracuse, N. Y. 

Hon. Alexander T. Brown Syracuse, N. Y'. 

Hon. John R. Clancy ' Syracuse, N. Y. 

Hon. Harold D. Cornwall Lowville, N. Y. 

Bon. George W. Driscoll Syracuse, N. Y. 

Hon. Francis Hendricks Syracuse, N. Y. 

Hon. Hendrick S. Holden Syracuse, N. Y. 

Hon. Louis Marshall New York City. 

Hon. Edward H. O'Hara Syracuse, N. Y. 

OFFICERS OF THE BOARD 

President Hon. Louis Marshall. 

Vice-President Hon. John R. Clancy'. 

Treasurer Hon. Hendrick S. Holden. 



D, of D. 
APR 22 1917 



(4) 



FACULTY 

OF 

THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF FORESTRY 

AT 

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY 



JAMES ROSCOE DAY, S. T. D., D. C. L., LL. D. 

Chancellor of the University 

HUGH POTTER BAKER, M. F. (Yale 1904) ; D. Oec. (Munich 1910) 
Dean of the College and Prof, of Silviculture 

FRANK F. MOOX, B. A. (Amherst College 1901) ; M. F. (Yale 1909) 
Professor of Forest Engineering 

MAULSBY WILLETT BLACKMAN, A. B. (Univer. of Kansas 1901) ; 
Ph. D. (Harvard Univ. 1905) 
Professor of Forest Entomology 

EDWARD F. McCarthy, B. S. (Univ. of Michigan 1911) 

Professor of Forestry at State Ranger School 

NELSON COURTLANDT BROW^N^, B. A. (Yale College 1906) ; M. F. 

(Yale University 1908) 

Professor of Forest Utilization 

J. FRED BAKER, B. S. (Michigan Agricultural College 1902); M. F. 

(Yale University 1908) 

Director of Forest Investigations 

LEIGH H. PENNINGTON, A. B., 1907, Ph. D. (Univ. of Michigan 1909) 
Professor of Forest Pathology 

GEORGE A. GUTCHES, M. F. (University of Michigan 1910) 
Director of State Ranger Scliool 

JOHN WALLACE STEPHEN, B. A., M. S. F. (Univ. of Michigan 1907) 
Assistant Professor of Forest Products 

REUBEN PARKER PRITCHARD, B. S. (Dartmouth College 1907); 

M. F. (Yale University 1909) 

Assistant Professor of Forest Products 

(5) 



College of Forestry 

CHAELES CHRLSTOPHER ADAMS, B. S. (Illinois Wesleyan 1896); 
M. S. (Harvard Univ. 1899); Ph. D. (Chicago Univ. 1908) 
Assistant Professor- of Forest Zoology 

HENRY R. FRANCIS, B. S. (Mass. Agricultural College 1910) 
Assistant Professor of Landscape Extension 

HARRY P. BROWN, B. A. 1909, A. M. 1910, Ph. D. (Cornell Univ. 1914) 
Assistant Professor of Forest Botany 

SHIRLEY W. ALLEN, B. S. A. (Iowa State College 1909) 
Assistant Professor of Forest Extension 

LAUEIE D. COX, A. B. (Acadia College 1903) ; S. B. in Land. Arch. 

(Harvard University 1908) 

Assistant Professor of Lanscape Engineering 

WILLIAM A. McDonald, B. S. F. (Mich. Agricultural College 1913) 
Assistant Professor of Forest Extensioyi 

RUSSELL TAYLOR GHEEN, B. S. F. (Pennsylvania State College 

1912) ; M. F. (The New York State College of Forestry 1914) 

Assistant Professor of Forest Extension 

HOWARD BLAINE WAHA, B. S. (Pennsylvania State College 1909) 
Assistant Professor of Forest Engineering 

HENRY HARRINGTON TRYON, A. B., M. F. (Harvard Univ. 1913) 

Instructor in Forest Utilization 

WILLIAM 0. ELLIS, A. B. (Lebanon Valley College 1911); M. S. 

(Iowa State College 1913) 

Instructor in Forest Entomology 

WALTER GRAHAM ILES, B. S. (The Neiv York State College of 

Forestry 1915) 

Field Assistant in Forest Investigations 

MILDRED E. WOOD, B. L. E. (Syracuse University 1914) 

Librarian 

LILLIAN M. LANG 
Secretary to the Dean 

WILFRED L. BASSETT 
Assistant Treasurer 

WALTER \V. CHIPMAN, B. S. (Wabash College 1893) 
Cashier 

MARTHA JEANETTE HARRINGTON, B. L. E. (Syracuse Univ. 1914) 

Recorder 



.1 ^^freet Tree S;/st('nt for New Yorlv Citi/ 

Members of University Faculty, Outside of College of Forestry, 
Giving Instruction to Students in Forestry 

FKANKLIN JAMES HOLZWARTH, Ph. D. (Syracuse) 
Professor of German 

ERNEST NOBLE PATTEE, M. S. (University of Rochester) 
Professor of Chemistry 

THOMAS CRAMER HOPKINS, Ph. D. (University of Chicago) 
Professor of Geology 

WILLIAM L. BRAY, Ph. D. (University of Chicago) 
Professor of Botany 

WARREN GARDNER BULLARD, Ph. D. (Clark University) 
Professor of Mathematics 

CHARLES HENRY RICHARDSON, Ph. D. (Dartmouth College) 
Professor of Mineralogy 

FREDERICK WILLIAM REVELS, B. Ar. (Syracuse University) 
Professor of Architecture 

LEON BRUCE HOWE, B. Ar. (Syracuse) 
Professor of Drawing 

CHARLES JULIUS KULLMER, Ph. D. (University of Tubingen) 

Professor of German 

HERBERT A. CLARK, Ph. D. (University of Nebraska) 

Professor of Physics 

MORGAN G. SANFORD, M. S. (Syracuse) 
Lecturer on Meteorology 

WILLIAM CHARLES LOWE, Ph. M. (Syracuse) 
Professor of German 

JULIAN CHASE SMALLWOOD, :M. E. (Columbia University) 
Associate Professor of Experimental Engineering 

ADOLPH CHARLES BAEBENROTH, A. M. (Harvard University) 
Professor of English 

FLOYD FISKE DECKER, Ph. D. (Syracuse) 
Assistant Professor of Mathematics 

\\aLLIAM JOHN GORSE, A. M. (Syracuse) 
Assistant Professor of German 

J. HERMAN WHARTON. A. M. (Syracuse) 
Assistant Professor of English 



S CoUc(je of Fure^frt/ 

HAROLD DOUGLAS BUELL, B. S. (Colgate) 
Iiistrncfor in L'hcinislnj 

ARTHUR E. BRAIXERU, M. S. (St. Laurence University, Syracuse 

University ) 
Instructor in Geology 

DAVID L. DUNLAP, D. Sc., M. D. 
Professor Physical Education and Hygiene 

RAYMOND T. BIRGE, Ph. D. (University of Wisconsin) 
Instructor in Physics 

CHARLES R. HOOVER, A. M. (Haverford College) 
Assistant Professor of Cliemistry 

HARRY E. BARNES, A. M. (Syracuse University) 
Instructor in Economics 

HARRY J. CARMAN, A. M. (Syracuse University) 
Instructor in Economics 



A REPORT TO HON. CABOT WARD 

Park Commissioner 

Boroughs of Manhattan and Richmond 

New York City 



BY 
LAURIE DAVIDSON COX 

Landscape Architect 

Member American Society of Landscape Architects 

Asst. Prof. Landscape Engineering 

N. Y. State College of Forestry 

FEBRUARY, 1916 



Introductory Statement to Report Submitted by Professor 
Laurie D, Cox of The New York State College of Forestry 
at Syracuse University to Hon. Cabot Ward, Park Com- 
missioner of New York City 



By HUGH P. BAKER 

The ^ew York State College of Forestry at Syracuse 
University, which, was established by legislative action in 
1911, is obligated in its charter to carry on educational work 
in Forestry wherever that may be needed in the State 
equally with the training of young men at Syracuse. It 
therefore developed, early in 1912, its Extension Service in 
Forestry for the giving of illustrated lectures and demon- 
strations in forestry. As a part of the Extension Service it 
began in 1912 studies and practical demonstrations which 
would assist rural communities and cities in the beautifica- 
tion of highways, country roads, streets, parks and public 
grounds generally. This work was done both for the pur- 
pose of making the results of general educational value in 
the State and mth the idea of using the trees about the 
homes of the people and along roadways and highways and 
in parks as the means of creating a better understanding by 
the people of the actual forestry needs of the State. 

When early in 1914 the Tree Planting Association of iN'ew 
York City, of which Dr. Stephen Smith is president, asked 
the College what it could do in cooperating with the Associa- 
tion to find out the condition of trees and the extent and 
nature of tree planting in I^ew York City and through this 
knowledge evolve a proper system of tree planting, the Col- 
lege stated at once that it would be glad to lend one of its 
landscape engineers during an entire summer season. The 
Tree Planting Association accepted the suggestion of the 
College and Professor Henry P. Francis, in charge of the 



12 College of Foreslry 

Landscape Extension Service of the College, was assigned 
and worked during- the summer of 1914 npon a series of in- 
vestigations of typical streets to show just what the condi- 
tion of street trees was at that time with the idea that a 
knowledge of these conditions would lead people to appre- 
ciate very forcefully the necessity for more and better trees 
in ISTew York City. Soon after the close of the season a bul- 
letin was prepared by Professor Francis which was issued as 
Series XV, Xo. Ic, by The J^ew York State College of For- 
estry and entitled '' Report on the Street Trees of the City 
of I^ew York." Copy of this report may be had upon appli- 
cation to the College. 

In the spring of 1915, the President of the Park Board of 
J^ew York City, Hon. Cabot Ward, who had followed with 
interest the investigations of Professor Francis, requested 
the State College of Forestry at Syracuse to detail one of 
its men for another season with the idea that the investi- 
gations of 1914 could be applied to somewhat more definite 
problems of caring for street trees and evolving a suggestive 
system of street j^lanting and culture for the entire city. 

Professor Francis having l)een assigned In- the College 
to spend the season with the Massachusetts Forestry Asso- 
ciation in carrying out field work on the 300-mile highway 
from Boston to the JSTew York line and back through Cam- 
bridge to Boston, Professor Laurie D. C^ox, a graduate land- 
scape architect, was assigned for the work under Mr. Cabot 
Ward. 

At the close of the summer of administrative and investi- 
gative work in the park department. Professor Cox submit- 
ted the following report which received from the President 
of the Park Board highly com]ilimentary notice. As the Col- 
lege felt that it would be desirable to publish the report by 
Professor Cox that it might serve as an illustration of a 
scheme of tree planting for American cities, Mr. Cabot Ward 
very gladly released the report for publication and distribu- 
tion bv the College. 

The College of Forestry feels that the work of Professor 
Frfincis iind Pi-ofessor Cox in Xew York Citv is in line with 



.1 Sfrcrf Tree Si/.slcut for Xcir Yorl- Cifii l-'< 

its obligation to he of service to the people of the State. The 
College has under way investigations of several other com- 
innnities of the State in some of which the tree survey is 
heing done by the school children of the community. Out 
of this general educational work hy the College and hy other 
institutions and agencies, there is developing a widespread 
interest and knowledge of proper methods of planting and 
])rotection of street and ])ark trees and it should all lead to 
making Xew York State a better place in which to live. 



iJlttUr at Slrattsmittal 



To Honorable Cabot Ward, Park Commissioner, Borouf/lis of 
Manhattan and Richmond : 

SiK. — I submit herewith the accompanying report con- 
cerning the street tree situation in Manhattan. This re- 
port embodies the results of my summer's investigation 
concerning the possibilities for successful tree growth on the 
streets of your borough. 

It has been my aim to approach the problem in a somewhat 
new way, rather as a phase of city planning than as a mere 
horticultural problem in street tree growth. The attempt 
has been made to present thus a scheme for street tree con- 
trol which may be appropriate in its ambition to the dignity 
of America's foremost city. 

The success of my summer's work has been largely due to 
the generous cooperation of all the members of your depart- 
ment organization. They have placed at my disposal their 
knowledge of and experience with local conditions, without 
which it would have been very difficult to have accomplished 
much in the brief period of time at my disposal. 

I wish especially to acknowledge the valuable assistance 
rendered me by your Secretary, Mr. Volentine, and the land- 
scape architect of the Department, Mr. Pilat, and his assist- 
ant, Mr. Gatringer. I was also much aided in my study of 
the problem of tree planting zones by having access to the 
maps and records of the City Plan Commission through the 
courtesy of Mr. George B. Ford and his assistants of the 
City Planning Bureau. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Latrie Davidson Cox, 

Syracuse. ^. Y. Landscape Architect. 

(14) 



I. INTEODUCTION. 

II. THE STREET TREE PROBLEM IN MANHATTAN. 

III. THE STREET TREE SYSTEM. 
What streets to plant. 

IV. PLANTING TYPES. 

Design in street tree planting. 

V. SPACING AND ARRANGEMENT. 

Standardized planting plans for typical ^Manhattan blocks. 

VI. WHAT TREES TO PLANT. 

A description of the species best adapted for Manhattan 
streets. 

VII. HOW TO PLANT. 

A detailed consideration of growing conditions and planting 
methods. 

VIII. THE COST OF PLANTING. 

Standardized planting specifications and their estimated 
cost. 

IX. ORGANIZATION AND BUDGET. 

A street tree bureau and the estimated cost of its operation. 

X. THE STREET TREE CENSUS. 
Its purpose and value. 

XI. STREET TREE PLANTING IN RICHMOND. 



(15; 




Tliotograph by L D. Cox. 
A Manhattan Residence Street. 
Showing that it is possible to secure splendid tree planting even on the narrower 
residential streets of Manhattan. The trees are young Norway Maples. 
This picture illustrates that form of the normal type of planting design in which 
the trees " frame-in the vista " — here very valuable. If these trees are allowed 
to grow until they reach the " overarching " form^he beauty of the street will 
be much lessened. 



L ilnlroburtton 



It will not be considered necessary in this report to discuss 
the many ways in which trees on city streets att'ect the health, 
the beauty and even the real estate values of the community. 
Everyone has heard of these things, everyone believes them 
and nearly everyone is willing to pay his share in securing 
them. 

To the city dweller the street trees are peculiarly precious. 
Foremost among the features which surround his home or 
place of business they make real to him the changing seasons 
and serve to remind him of the open country which lies be- 
yond the confines of his masonry and asphalt existence. 

It is not surprising therefore the amount of interest which 
problems in connection with street tree growth have awak- 
ened during recent years not only in 'New York l)ut in many 
cities, for there are few questions of municipal life upon 
which the average citizen is more unanimous in his opinion 
than in the desirability of shade trees on the streets of his 
city. 

In spite of this interest, however, and the popular support 
of all movements in behalf of street trees the progress which 
has been made in the art and practice of growing trees upon 
the streets of our larger American cities has been largely neg- 
ative. This is mainly because the street tree problem on ac- 
count of its apparent simplicity has not received the amount 
of serious attention from experts which it has demanded. 

Our city planners and landscape architects have for the 
most part been engrossed with more adventurous problems 
and our city foresters save in a few cases have given their 
attention to the simpler horticultural and entomological prob- 
lems of plantino' and care, rather than the more important 
features of design, engineering nnd ndministrntion. 

a-) 



18 College of Forestry 

In any sizable city successful street tree growtli is a diffi- 
cult matter, and one demanding the expenditure of money 
and the advice of experts. In New York the gi'owing of 
street trees is much more difficult and more costly than in 
most cities and so far it has been correspondingly less suc- 
cessful. 

To secure again on the Island of Manhattan the tree 
shaded thoroughfares once among the city's most cherished 
possessions and now so rapidly passing away, is still possible. 
To accomplish this but three things are necessary: money, 
knowledge and a definite and comprehensive scheme or pro- 
gram. The first should be secured without difficulty, the 
second is made possible by the first, and this rather brief and 
far from perfect report will endeavor to suggest the third. 



IL ®I|p Btmt (Em froblem tn illattl|atta« 



Any hasty consideration of the question of growing street 
trees in New York City, or in that most typical portion of 
it, the Borough of Manhattan, will develop one of two opin- 
ions. Either it will be deemed a simple problem such as is 
being solved in nearly every town or city of the land or it 
will be declared a matter utterly absurd - — a problem im- 
possible of solution. 

Like the results of most hasty considerations, neither of 
these opinions is correct. Successful tree growth on Man- 
mattan streets is something considerably more than a ques- 
tion of ordinary planting and care. Again it is neither im- 
possible nor impracticable to secure on many streets a satis- 
factory growth of shade trees. It is true, however, that to 
secure any considerable number of permanent shade trees 
on the streets of Manliattan is a problem which is without 
question one of the most difficult ones yet approached by city 
foresters or park authorities in this country. 

In addition to the ordinary difficulties which beset tree 
growth under city conditions, such as pavements which shut 
out water and air from the roots ; trunk injury due to heavy 
traffic; weakened vigor to resist insects and disease, due to 
gas-poisoned soil and smoke and dust-burdened air; we have 
in Manhattan many additional hazards to overcome. Thus 
above ground, the very general presence of high buildings 
upon comparatively narrow streets causes a very serious lack 
of sunshine, light and air and produces a prevalence of tear- 
ing, swirling winds. Below the surface we have even more 
abnonnal conditions in the extensive use of the area beneath 
the street for subways, sewers, conduits and vaults. These 
things are true not only of the business streets but of the res- 
idential streets as well. The grass parking strips between 
sidewalk and curb which are present on the majority of the 

(19) 



20 CoJU'ijc of Forest rij 

residence streets iu other cities are an extreme rarity in Man- 
hattan. An open area of lawn or yard between the building 
and the sidewalk is still rarer and practically does not exist 
throughout 95 per cent, of the borough. In fact the growing 
conditions on the average residence street in Manhattan are 
no better than, and often not as good as those of the business 
street in the ordinary American city. 

As a result of all these factors the problem of growing 
trees on the majority of Manhattan streets becomes a totally 
artificial one. The entire soil to contain the roots, together 
with all food, air and water for the tree, must be supplied 
artificially, much as they are supplied to house plants or to 
trees grown in conservatories. That is, the tree must be 
grown in a tree pit of prepared soil much as a plant is grown 
in a flower pot. In some cases this pit must be provided 
with concrete walls and underdrainage, while very com- 
monly iron gratings or some form of protecting cover must 
be installed over the surface of the pit. 

The entire problem of selecting the tree, its planting, 
pruning and care must thus be radically different from 
those of ordinary street tree practice, and likewise the cost 
must be considerably larger than that for planting and main- 
tenance in the average city or town. In certain boroughs of 
New York City it has been estimated that a tree may be suc- 
cessfully planted and cared for until established for eight 
dollars, whereas a sidewalk grating alone on a Manhattan 
street will cost several times this sum. In the City of Xew- 
ark a tree can be planted and established for approximately 
five dollars, while in Manhattan it will cost nearly this 
amount to cut and remove the ]iavement above the pit in 
wliich the tree is to be planted. 

If any plan or program for street tree planting in Man- 
hattan is to be made it is very evident that a careful study 
must be given to determine the following facts : 

(1) On what streets shall trees be planted? (The high 
cost as above explained makes it impracticable to attempt to 
plant the entire borough, and likewise the present and future 



A Street Tree Sijslem for Xeir York City 21 

ll^;e and condition of niaiiv streets makes successful planting 
upon them impracticable if not impossible.) 

(2) WItat l-'uid, li/jie and size of trees can be used iritli 
assurance of success under the peculiar, adverse conditions 
wliicli prevail? 

(3) W'liat will it cost to do the ivorh o)i the different 
classes of streets/ (Since the conditions of the streets differ 
so widely, no uniform system of planting can be used which 
will be most elficient and economical in all cases. Ditferent 
types of planting must be determined upon for the ditferent 
conditions which are to be met.) 

(4) Wliat forin of organization ivill he necessary for se- 
curing and maintaining satisfactory street tree growth ac- 
cording to these determined facts? 

(5) What is a reasonable budget for the organization and 
program thus determined upon? 

We will attempt to consider each of these points in order. 





Photograph by L. D. Cox. 

The Pin Oak Used as a Small Formal Street Tree for Poor Growing 

Conditions. 

A view of north Broadway showing the existing planting of a rather inter- 
esting type; a double row of Pin Oaks in a central parking. If these trees are 
to be maintained successfully they should be kept as at present of small size 
and formal shape since the few feet of soil above the subway roof will not per- 
mit a root system sufficient for large trees. To permit a greater use of the central 
parkings they could be kept in alternate blocks of grass and gravel, the 
gravel blocks to be provided with concrete seats. The existing planting should 
be extended south to 135th Street. A lighter guard would be more attractive and 
give ample protection. See Chapter IV for other ■plantiiig types. 



III. A ^'Irrd Q^m BxiBUm 

Mljat BtrtttB to Plant 

In any serious consideration of street tree planting in 
Manhattan it is evident that not all streets are equally avail- 
able or advisable for this purpose. ITarrow^ sidewalks, exces- 
sive congestion, commercial traffic, high buildings, under- 
ground construction, all of these together or in various com- 
binations eliminate many streets from the list of those prac- 
ticable or possible for satisfactory tree growth. 

On account of this fact it may appear perhaps that any 
tree growth, even if it is secured, must be scattered and hap- 
hazard, and that no continuity can be had. Again, owing 
to the high cost of planting under the existing conditions, 
and with the rapid deterioration of the existing trees, the 
task of securing permanent street tree planting in Manhat- 
tan may indeed seem hopeless in its immensity. 

It would certainly appear that if any worth-while results 
are to be obtained we must have a plan or program towards 
which to work, that is, an organized system or selection of 
streets upon which to concentrate our efforts. 

To select these streets and then coordinate them into an 
organic scheme of city decoration has suggested to the writer 
the idea of a street tree system, and what is more natural 
than to unite this system in some way with the city park 
areas which, with the street trees, supply the horticultural 
decoration of the city. 

In this way the idea of a street tree system as a scheme of 
inter-park connections had its origin. 

One of the important city planning features in most mod- 
ern American cities is the park system, and there are few 
proo;ressive cities of today which do not have such a system 
under construction or cherish ambitious plans for such a con- 
summation. In fact this scheme of organizing the various 
park units into a correlated whole and connecting them by 

(23) 



24 College of ForesU-y 

parkways and boulevards into a comprehensive system lias 
been termed " the one great contribution of America to the 
modern art of city planning." 

New York City, although the pioneer among American 
cities in the creation of public parks and the possessor of 
some of the most magnilicent individual park areas in the 
land, alone among the great cities of America possesses 
neither a park system nor a definite plan or program for the 
creation of such a system. 

In the other boroughs of the city, save Manhattan, the 
opportunity exists for working out a park system with 
the usual park connections and doubtless all of these bor- 
oughs will some day possess, in greater or less degree, such 
systems. In Manhattan, however, due to the intensive use 
of all available real estate, a park system by means of these 
ordinary forms of park connections would appear to he prac- 
tically impossible. If a system of connecting ways is to be 
secured in Manhattan at any reasonable outlay, we must make 
use in some form of the existing streets. 

With this thought in mind in approaching the street tree 
problem, the writer was impressed with the feasibility of 
securing a system of park connections in Manhattan by 
means of a comprehensive and organized system of tree 
planting on carefully selected streets. By selecting streets 
which will permit of successful tree growth and by secur- 
ing in our planting design a reasonable degree of interest 
and individuality, a park system unique among American 
cities may be secured. Such a scheme of street planting- 
would not only coordinate the existing scattered park areas 
of the liorough into a comprehensive system, but would also 
impart that peculiar or individual character and beauty 
which is necessary if Manhattan, the heart of 'New York 
City, is to take its place, as its importance in all other lines 
justify, among the beautiful cities of the world. 

A careful study has been made of every street in ]\ranhat- 
tan leading to or from the various park areas. It has been 
found possible iu the case of practically all of the more im- 
portant parks to select streets suitable for inter-park con- 



A Street Tree System for Neio Yorl- City 25 

nections upon which successful tree growth of one form or 
another may be secured. These streets are suggested for our 
proposed " street tree system," and are shown upon the ac- 
companying map.* By concentrating our efforts upon these 
streets it will be possible, with a reasonable annual expendi- 
ture, to secure a condition of tree planting in Manhattan 
which will give to the city the appearance and charm of a 
tree-shaded city. 

In selecting the streets to be used, careful consideration 
was given not only to the existing conditions of the streets in 
question, but also to the future development of them. This 
latter was largely determined by the proposed scheme of dis- 
tricting being worked out by the City Planning Commission. 
The streets of our proposed street tree system are confined 
almost entirely to those streets which lie in the districts 
limited to residential or restricted business (retail stores, 
offices, etc.) and residential purposes. 

Several streets which it would be very desirable to include 
in our system, and whose present condition would permit of 
tree growth have not been so included because they lie within 
the proposed unrestricted districts (factories, warehouses, 
etc.), where the ultimate development would probably ren- 
der tree growth either impossible or at least unsuccessful. 
These few streets are indicated separately upon our map, 
and if by any chance the proposed districts could be slightly 
changed so as to exclude these streets from the unrestricted 
districts they should be added to the system. 

There are of course other streets not included in our sys- 
tem of inter-park connections, but upon which trees may be 
grown successfully. These are streets which will lie in the 
restricted residential districts. They, too, are indicated upon 
the accompanying map.* The program should be to encour- 
age tree planting by private o^^mers upon these streets ac- 
cording to the block unit discussed in Chapter V, and public 
planting should be carried out upon these streets after the 
main system has been completed. 

* See large map of The Street Tree System. 



A 



y 



U.' 



-1 






imini 



SIDEWALK 
30' — 



-F 



TROLLEY 
ROADWAY 

4D' 

IDO' 



r^LJ-L 



SIDEWALK 

— 30' - 



14 



..K 



PARK 



Central Park West 

EXISTING TREE PLANTING SEE 5ECTI0ri 
SHOWING PROPOSED CHANGE IN STREET DESIGN 



L O.C-L.A 



Planting of the " Normal " Type in the Unbalanced Form. 

A typical section indicating the existing condition of this street. 

It is proposed to widen the roadway to relieve traffic congestion; see sketch 
below. 

If the present design is retained, a third row of trees grown beneath gratings 
could be located on the sidewalk to the west. The present trees cannot be 
counted upon for long and will soon have to be replaced. 



J 



.J" 






c. 



'■;> 



J i 






S 















v. 



GRAVEL PAKKIHfj 
AREAS IOA!0 - 



irrn 



Ju\ 



-T 



ti_ 



SIDEWALK 
25 — 



Ti — r 



TRULLLr 

RQADWAr 

50' — 

— JQO' " 



ilDEWALK 
-15 



Central Park West 

SUGGESTED NEW TREE PLANTING SCHEME FDR USE IF 
PROPOSED CHANGES IN CAR TRACKS AND SIDEWALKS ARE CARklEU OUT 



L D.C 



Planting of the "Normal" Type (Form BorC). 
Planting of the normal type would be appropriate for this street if the con- 
templated change in the street design is carried out. The Oriental Plane or 
Linden could be used, and grown either in fenced (grass or gravel) parking areas 
or in tree pits with grating or brick-paved surface. 



IV. Planting QlypfB 



IpHtgu in #trrpt ©rrr Planting 

In any prog-ram or system of street planting it is unwise 
to adopt any single type and attempt to repeat it on all 
streets. ]^ot only do variations in conditions make sucli a 
scheme unscientific, but all interest and variety in the sys- 
tem is lost, and in spite of the great beauty of individual 
streets the general effect will become somewhat monotonous." 
This is especially true if we seek to form a unified and com- 
prehensive system, to serve as inter-park connections, such 
as we have suggested. 

It is of course impossible to secure a different type of 
planting for each particular street, yet in the more impor- 
tant cases this can be done or at least a single type can be so 
varied by using different species of trees as to give a distinct 
character to each of the more important individual streets 
and avenues. A, few of the various types of planting design 
which are possible and appropriate in Manhattan are illus- 
trated by the accompanying sketches. These sketches in the 
form of street sections show these suggested types of planting 
as recommended for some of the more important thorough- 
fares of our proposed system. 

While the forms of planting which it is possible to secure 
permit of great variation, there are several readily distin- 
guished types which are particularly appropriate for Man- 
hattan streets. 

I. The Normal Type. 

The simplest form of street tree planting is that in which 
we have a single or double row of trees on one or both side- 



* Several American cities with excellent street tree planting suffer 
from monotony due to uniformity of planting design and the use of the 
same species of tree on the majority of the thoroughfares. 

(27) 




PAVED SIDEWALh WITH 

SRAVEL PARKINuS ON EITHER SIDE 



ROADWAY 



PAVED SIDEWALK 
JO 



Fifth Avenue. Facing Central Park 

FROM SgT-i' SI TO IIOTMST. 



LOCI A 



Planting of the " Normal " Type in the Unbalanced Form. 

A typical section illustrating the existing tree planting in this street. 

The present trees, American Elms, cannot be counted upon for long, as con- 
ditions are unfavorable for their growth and they are fast deteriorating. They 
could be replaced by Oriental Planes or Lindens. In replacing, one of several 
types of planting may be had: the present form with a double row of trees 
on one side or either of the two forms illustrated in the following sketches. 



r" 






e 



l\ n ORAVEL PARKINCiS 



PARK 



Jl 



I ID 
WALK 

- 3D' 



ROADWAY 
40' 



JrX. 



SIDEWALK 
30' 



IDO 



Fifth Avenue Facino Central Park 

SUGGESTED TREATMENT B, 
SEE OPTIONAL TREATMENT A 



L.O C- LA. 



Planting of the '' Normal " Type with Double Row on One Side. 
A suggested type for new tree planting on Fifth Avenue facing Central Park. 
This provides for three rows of trees in continuous gravel parkings. 
In planting the double row on the west it would be well to alternate the 
spacing in the two rows with the trees at 50-feet intervals in each row. 




>^ 



^ 



6RASS PARKm& 
AREAS FENCED 
SIZE I5X4D'-|0'APART 




SIDEWALK 
— 30' 



ROADWAY 

— +0' 

100' — 



SIDEWALK 
— 30' 



Fifth Avenue Facincj Central Park 

SUGGESTED TREATMENT A. 
SEE OPTIONAL TREATMENT B. 



Planting of the Normal Type (Form B). 

An optional type of planting for Fifth Avenue facing Central Park; normal 
type planting. 

This scheme of planting provides for the trees being grown in large tree pits 
or parking areas, to be kept in grass and fenced. 

The tree recommended for this street is either the Oriental Plane or the Linden. 



80 Colle<je of Forestry 

walks (balanced or unbalanced form), and this being the one 
in most common use we may call it the standard or normal 
type. Two distinct effects may be secured in this form of 
planting depending on the nature of the trees used — 
whether the trees are (a) of broad spreading habit or (b) 
of upright pyramidal or columnar habit. 

In the one case we get an over-arching effect such as is 
seen in so many streets which contain old American elms. 
With trees of the upright form such as is found in the 
younger stages of growth with practically all trees, or with 
mature trees such as the pin oak or gingko, we get the effect 
of a framed-in vista especially pleasing when an interesting 
building, monument or view terminates the vista. 

The over-arching form, while beautiful in itself, is seldom 
satisfactory save on streets with very wide grass parkings 
which will meet the conditions of growth which the roots of 
large trees demand. It is the absence of such parkings that 
is causing the rapid passing of the American elm as a street 
tree in New York City. 

In street planting of the normal type the trees may be 
grown in several ways, depending upon the design, width 
and traffic conditions of the street in question. 

(A) In grass or gravel parkings.* 

(B) In fenced parking areas or large tree pits. 

(C) In small tree pits with gravel surface or with iron 
grating or other form of surface cover. 

(D) In a continuous strip, between sidewalk and curb, 
which is paved with bricks laid in sand. 

This type of planting is adapted for use on residential or 
secondary business streets which have wide sidewalks and 

* In the case of grass parkings, where the parkings are sufficiently 
wide, shrubs may be planted in rows or clumps between the trees. Very 
beautiful effects may be secured by using a single variety of shrub on 
a street in combination with a single variety of tree. Thus great in- 
dividuality may be given to different streets and yet use only the normal 
type of planting design. The city of Sacramento, Cal., has adopted a 
street planting program along this line and the writer assisted some 
years ago in making the selection of trees and shrubs for the first 
street so treated. 



L-5 



GRAVEL PARKING 



:^ 



SIDEWALK 
25 — 







X 



SIDEWALK 
I0'4 15 



Lenox Avenue 



Planting of the "Normal Type" (Form A). 

A section showing the proposed treatment for this street. New planting of 
young trees on continuous gravel parkings, to replace the fast disappearing 
American Elms. Any one of the following trees are suggested for this street: 
Oriental Plane, Linden, Gingko, Norway Maple, or Pin Oak. 




Sidewalk 
30' 



ROADWAY 

40' 

100' — 




NOTE - OPEN TREE PITS 
KEPT IN 6RAS5T0 BE 
MADE UNIFORM 10X20 



West 86 ^^ St. 

EXISTING PLANTING OF THE NORMAL TYPE 



Planting of the "Normal" Type (Form B). 

Planting existing on West 86th Street. 

The trees are planted on grass parking areas which are fenced for protection. 
The existing trees are too closely planted. (See photograph on page 47.) 






p 



■'I 






SIDEWALK 
IS — 



11 



ROADWAY 

- 50' 

— 100' 



SIDtWALK 
— — -25' 



East 86I-HSt 



L DC-LA 



Planting of the " Normal " Type (Form C). 

A suggested method of treating 100-foot streets which contain narrow sidewalks with 
broad roadways and which are not provided with car hnes. 

By a sHght reduction in the roadway width the sidewalks may be widened from 20 to 
25 feet. Trees of tall, narrow form should bs used to prevent cutting off the supply of 
light and air from the lower stories of the houses. The Gingko and Pin Oak normally 
grow in this form, and can easily be kept of the shape and size desired by pruning. 

Trees to be grown in tree pits with iron gratings or other form of surface covering. 

See Section of East 106th Street for an optional treatment for streets of this class. 




6RAVEUTREE PIT 
lOXZO 



Seventh Avenue 
north of central park 



Planting of the " Third Row " Type. 
'' Typical section showing a suitable treatment for this street. It is advised to replace 
the present rapidly deteriorating Elms on the tidewalks with Oriental Planes such as 
exist at present in the central parking. 

The side rows could be kept pruned to small or medium-sized trees if the business 
development of the street demands it. Probably owing to the limited area available for 
the roots of the central row such pruning would be beneficial to the trees in this row also. 



A Street Tree Sijstr)n for Xeio York City 33 

lience have room for the proper developuieut of fair sized 
trees. Considerable variety may be secured with this single 
type by using dilferent species of trees upon the different 
streets. Probably 95 per cent, of the street tree planting in 
this country is of this type and nearly all Manhattan streets 
in which street tree planting is possible may be treated in 
this way if desired. However, on many of the streets of our 
proposed system other forms of planting will be more ap- 
propriate. Typical streets for which this type of planting 
is suggested are: 

West 86th street (largely existing). 

Lenox avenue. 

Central Park West. 

Fifth avenue (59th to 110th street). 

II. The Third Roiv Type. 

A similar type of planting is that in which in addition 
to the single or double row of trees on either sidewalk a third 
row is added in the center of the street. This third row is 
normally grown in a wide grass or gi*avel parking or in a 
narrow parking area preferably fenced. This type of plant- 
ing is adapted for use on wide streets which do not contain 
central car tracks. A typical Manhattan street adapted for 
this form is Seventh avenue, north of Central Park, where 
the central planting has already been made. In planting of 
this type the third or middle row may consist of a single 
or double line of trees depending upon the width of the 
center parking. (See type V.) 

III. The Center Parking Type. 

Another type of planting which differs but slightly from 
the above is that in which the central parking is planted to 
flowers or shrubs instead of trees. This form has been much 
used in suburban real estate development in many cities and 
when the street is sufficiently wide and the work is well done 
produces probably the most attractive form of residential 
street obtainable. The lateral rows of trees may either be 
allowed to attain a large size, or, if the proper varieties are 
used they may be kept to a low formal shape by pruning. 



.^^-k 



SIDEWALK 
24' 



ROADWAY 
40' — 



^ 



CENTRAL 
PARKING 



ROADWAY 
-40' — 



SIDEWALK 
— 14' — 



15D' 



Broadway 
59 T-H ST. TO 122 "-"St. 



Planting of the " Center Parking " Type. 

A unique and distinctive form of this well known typo of planting which is suggested 
tor Broadway from 59th Street to 122nd Street. 

The shrub planting on the central parking already exists. The scattered and deterio- 
rating Elms on the sidewalks should be replaced by small, formally pruned trees. Poplars 
or Gingkos are recommended for this purpose. Planes or Lindens could be used with the 
same pruning, but are not quite so adaptable to such severe treatment. 



1 



SIDEWALK 
Zl'k — 



ROADWAY 

55 

lOO' 




FIFTH AVENUE BELOW 59^1? ST 



Planting op the " Pruned Formal " Type. 

A beautiful and distinct form of planting appropriate for this important business and 
residential street. 

This type of planting on a small scale, using Poplars, has already been tried in New York 
and in Newark. The trees are to be kept of small size and formal shape by pruning, and 
they are to be grown in specially prepared tree pits beneath gratings. Either the Poplar 
or Gingko is recommended for this use. Small trees of this form would remove the preju- 
dice of shop owners to trees in front of their places of business. 

See Chapter VI for details and photograph of this type of planting. 



A Street Tree System for New Yorl- City 35 

On streets where the buildings are high and extend to the 
property line, and where the street has a large business de- 
velopment, this latter type of tree will be found more beauti- 
ful as well as more satisfactory. This formal type is sug- 
gested as being especially appropriate for Broadway from 
59th to 122nd street. Here the central parking treatment 
already exists and the rapidly dying sidewalk trees need 
replacing. 

IV. The Pruned Formal Type. 

The same kind of trees mentioned above, that is, trees 
pruned to a low size and formal shape, may be used for plant- 
ing on business streets as ordinary sidewalk trees. This 
form of planting might be considered a variation of the nor- 
mal type (ISTumber I above) but is so distinctive and un- 
usual that I have classed it as a distinct type. Although 
little used as yet in American cities this form of planting 
has long been used abroad and has repeatedly been recom- 
mended by city planners and landscape architects. This 
type is adapted for use on high class business streets or com- 
bined residential and business streets where sidewalks are 
narrow and gTOwing conditions generally poor, but where 
the decorative effect of tree growth is highly desirable. The 
advantages, both esthetic and practical, of this type of plant- 
ing for use on streets of this nature are many. The formal 
appearing trees lend an added dignity to the architecture of 
the street, which is especially appropriate on a highly devel- 
oped thoroughfare such, for instance, as Fifth Avenue. The 
small-sized trees may be kept in good condition even when 
grown in a restrictive soil area in which large trees would 
rapidly deteriorate or die. When breaks occur in the tree 
lines due to individual mortality these breaks can be readily 
filled by planting new trees of fair size which, within a year 
or two, will acquire in everything, save diameter of stem, 
the size of the existing trees. Fair sized trees should be 
grown in a municipal nursery for replacels of this kind. It 
is doubtful if there is any city in the country in which this 
tynpe of planting would be more appropriate or more valuable 
than in l^ew York. 



36 College of Forestry 

Typical Manliattan streets suggested for this treatment 
are: 

Fifth avenue below 59th street. 

West 23rd street. 

Fifty-seventh street. 

Tenth avenue (57th to 72nd streets). 

West 11th street. 

East 36th street. 

Second avenue (7th to 15th street). 

V. The Center Row Type. 

Another interesting type of planting is that which makes 
use of a single or a double row of trees in a central parking 
without the ordinary sidewalk trees. This type might be 
considered a variation of the " Third Row Type " (Number 
II above). It is an optional type of planting for use on wide 
streets where the normal type (Xuml)er I) could also be 
used. It is especially appropriate for streets with narrow 
sidewalks and wide roadways, since it will give shade and 
arborial decoration to a street, and yet cut off no light or air 
from the lower stories of the buildings. It is thus well 
adapted for wide streets which contain high buildings and 
congested population. Typical streets for which this type 
of planting is appropriate are : 

(a) (Single row) East 106th street. 

(b) (Double row) Broadway, 135th to 168th street 
(partly existing), Delancy street (existing). 

VI. The Informal Type. 

A more unusual type of planting is that in which a cen- 
tral parking is planted to shrubs and informal groups of 
trees, but in which no regular rows of trees occur on either 
the central parking or the sidewalks. This style of plant- 
ing is used entirely for decorative effect upon the street 
with no thought of shade. This type is appropriate for wide 
streets with high buildings where other types may not be 
used on accoimt of shallow soil conditions due to subways 
or other forms of construction beneath the street. Park 
avenue from 50th to 96th street is alreadv verv effectivelv 



SIDEWALK 




uu 



ROADWAY 
30' — 



^10 - 
■ IDO' 



ROADWAY 
— 30 — 



SIDEWALK 
— 15 — 



East 106^-" St. 



L O.CHA 



Planting of the " Center Row" Type. 

A suggested type of planting for 100-foot streets which contain narrow sidewalks with 
broad roadways and are without car lines. 

In this case the sidewalks are narrowed from 20 to 15 feet, and a central parking 10 
feet wide (as in Seventh AvenueJ is constructed. Either this treatment, or that suggested 
for East 86th Street, is recommended on 100-foot streets with 20-foot sidewalks, as such 
sidewalks are too narrow for satisfactory tree growth, or if the ordinary type of tree plant- 
ing is attempted the lower stories of the buildings are rendered unhealthfully sunless. 



SIDEWALK 
— 11 




ROADWAY 
— Z8 



PAVED PARKING 

40 

14-0 




^^COCOS PALMS 
CONCRETE II IN CONCRETE TUBS 

StATS 



ROADWAY 
28 - — 



SIDEWALK 



Park Avenue 45iyST.T0 soisst. 

PROPOSED TREATMENT 



L C-L,\ 



Planting of the " Potted Tree " Type. 

A suggested treatment for the paved central plots or parkings in Park Avenue. 

Since this street is merely a roof to the railroad yard beneath no permanent planting is 
possible. Trees of distinctive appearance are suggested, grown in concrete pots. 

This unique treatment would not be extremely costly, and would form a splendid 
approach to the Grand Central Station from the Parked section of this street. Cocos 
Palms are suggested for summer use which would be stored in Winter and replaced by 
Evergreens, likewise grown in pots. 



38 College of Forestry 

treated in this way. On the upper portion of this street rows 
of sidewalk trees could be secured if desired, as in type Num- 
ber III. 

VII. The Potted Tree Type. 

A rather rare and even more unusual form of street plant- 
ing is that wdiich makes use of trees or shrubs grown in 
large pots or tubs, the trees so grown being placed 
either on a central paved parking or on the sidewalks.* 
This style of treatment is productive of great beauty when 
used on a high class thoroughfare,! and is well worth 
while on important avenues where natural tree growth is 
impossible. This type is suggested for Park avenue from 
45th to 50th streets where wide, brick-paved central park- 
ings already exist, and where the street forms the ap- 
proach to the Grand Central Station. This street with its 
attractive architecture and the splendid vista tei*mination 
formed by the station is destined to become a very beautiful 
and very famous thoroughfare, and the city would be justi- 
fied in sjDending considerable money in its horticultural 
decoration. 

VIII. The Parhumy Type. 

Probably the most unusual type of street tree planting is 
that which makes use of an informal grouping of trees of 
one or more varieties upon lateral gi*ass parkings with or 
without informally planted center parkings. This is merely 
adapting to formal streets the type of planting now used on 
informal parkways. The value of such a type of planting is 
purely one of taste and, although somewhat daring, is advo- 
cated by some authorities. There appear to be no streets in 
Manhattan which would lend themselves to this form of 
treatment. 

* Some heat-resisting tree of striking foliage such as the Palm 
(species suggested Cocos phnnosa or Chamerops excelsa) could be used 
for summer iise to be replaced in winter with evergreens (species sug- 
gested varieties of Thuya occidentalis, Thuya orientalis or •Tuniperus 
Virginiana) . The former would be stored in an " orangery " in winter 
while the latter would be rested in a suburban nursery during the 
summer. 

t This type of planting has been used very effectively on certain of 
the Boulevards of Paris, such as the Riie de Rivoli. 



□ 



□ 



L. D. Cox, L. A. 






«- 25-4- SO 



^ 



-•K — so ' 4^. zs '- 






^ 



□ 



h 

LO 

CO 



AVENUE. 



oO 



Suggested Plan Showing 

TYPICAL Planting Art^angement Of 

North and South Streets. 



L. D. Cox, L. A. 



V. i>parttt0 anti Arrmtg^mntt 

^taubarbi^fli planting Plana for ©mitral Manliattau iSlnrka 

So much lias been sttid and written about the evils of plant- 
ing street trees too closely that it may seem almost unneces- 
sary to mention it again. There is nothing more difficult to 
secure in street planting than correct spacing and arrange- 
ment and this is especially true if the wishes or opinions of 
the abutting property owners are considered. The chief rea- 
son for this is that young trees are so small at the time of 
planting that when spaced as is commonly done from 20 to 
oO feet apart they give no idea of the ultimate crowding 
which will occur when the trees reach maturity. 

In addition to the injury to the appearance of the street as 
well as to the trees themselves when planted so thickly that 
nomial development is prohibited when the trees mature, 
such planting becomes a serious menace to health, as it cuts 
off very largely from the lower stories of the buildings a 
proper supply of sunlight and air. In Manhattan where the 
buildings present a continuous facade on practically all 
streets this question of air and sunlight is of special impor- 
tance, and crowded planting is especially unwise. 

Besides these considerations of appearance and health the 
question of cost is also to be noted. With the high cost of 
planting and maintaining trees under Manhattan conditions 
the greatest efficiency will be secured by the widest spacing 
which it is possible to have, and still secure a satisfactory 
appearance. To secure such efficiency a uniform or standard- 
ized spacing is of course necessary. 

The beauty of any formal type of street tree planting de- 
pends very largely upon regularity in the size, kind and 
arrangement of the trees, all of which are impossible 
unless a systematic scheme of planting is followed. 
The planting of trees by individual property owners, 

(39) 



40 College of Forestry 

so often done in other cities and much advocated in jSTew 
York, always produces a condition where the trees are 
of varying size, age and kind, spaced at irreg-ular and un- 
satisfactory intervals. The street trees form the most im- 
portant and often the only esthetic element in street design, 
and it is difficult to see any reason for releasing them from 
the oversight of the city which controls and standardizes the 
rest of the street design. In some cities the tree planting is 
carried out as a part of the street improvement and this is 
fortunately the growing tendency. In fact it is no more 
reasonable to allow the property owner to show his individual 
preference regarding the kind or arrangement of street trees 
in front of his property than it is to allow him a similar priv- 
ilege in the construction of his sidewalk or pavement. 

The smallest unit area of a street that should be planted 
at one time in Manhattan is a block on the east and west 
streets, and two or more blocks on the avenues running north 
and south. The trees for this unit should be of uniform size 
and kind, and regularly spaced according to the size of the 
block as regai'ds arrangement. It is of course much better 
to plant an entire street at once, but units of the size men- 
tioned will permit of a reasonable degree of uniformity in 
the street planting in the borough. 

The accompanying typical planting plans have been made 
to illustrate a satisfactory spacing arrangement for Manhat- 
tan streets. These plans show a minimum spacing distance 
of 50 feet, wliich will be found neither too small for the 
largest trees, such as the Planes, nor too great for the smaller 
formally pruned-trees, such as the Poplar and Gingko. This 
plan will give eight trees to the block on the avenues run- 
ning north and south where the blocks average about 200 
feet, and from 24 to 32 trees to the block on the east and west 
streets according as the blocks vary from 600 to 800 feet. 
The same standard of spacing should be used on any streets 
which do not divide themselves regularly into blocks. While 
it would be possible in some cases to plant the trees at smaller 
intervals, a very satisfactory appearance will be secured at 
50 feet intervals. In no cases will there be serious crowding, 



< 



1 


. 25 - 


50 


• 


so' 


- 1 


so' 


- •! 




















so' 




so' 




so' 


;-25'. 




l__ 


43 




P 




1 




1 


a 





a 


a 


n 


□ 


a 


□ 


...JtL_ 




1 




1 




'+' 



lU 

>< 



Y\f. 23" ST. 



h 

lU 
h 



n a 



Lj ri 



o □ 



Suggested Plan Showing 

Typical Planting Arrangement Oe 

East And West Streets. 



h 
Z 



4( 

so 
Y 
of 
sa 
pc 
ai 
th 
re 
ca 
fo 
re 

in 
il( 

at 

St 

ai 
ai 
bl 
tc 
ti 
tl 



tc 
ta 
oJ 
la 
fc 

P 

n 

f( 

St 

T 
w 
it 
ir 

51 



A Street Tree Sy stein for New York City 41 

and the number of trees will be reduced to a minimum, a 
very desirable feature in consideration of the higb cost of 
planting and maintenance in this city. 

It is highly desirable to keep the corner trees from 40 to 
50 feet back from the sidewalk curb at the street intersec- 
tions so as to permit an auto-bus to load and discharge pas- 
sengers at the street corners. The use of these conveyances 
is already an important feature of street transportation in 
Manhattan and the indications point to a still further ex- 
tension of this service in the future. 



VL Uliat ^utB to fimt 



A irHrnptinn at tl|r HarirttPH IpHt Abaptrb for Hlant|attan 

BtttttB 

Having' selected the streets upon which tree planting may 
be done with a fair prospect of success, the kind of tree and 
the way to plant it must next be determined. While the 
failure and death of trees upon Manhattan streets is very 
often due to unsuitable growing conditions which may be 
remedied by proper attention and care, there are certain 
trees which even under the best conditions obtainable are 
foredoomed to failure and should not be used. The number 
of trees suitable for street use in any city is small, and those 
which can be used in Manhattan with any reasonable expec- 
tation of success is still smaller. Under the most favorable 
conditions which exist in ^ew York, such as on parkways or 
on streets and avenues having broad parkings, there is a fair 
range of choice; but in the main, the most satisfactory re- 
sults will be obtained by restricting our list of trees to six 
or seven species. 

After having considered carefully the city's past expe- 
rience with tree growi:h in its streets and parks, the peculiar 
factors which enter into local conditions, and the experience 
of other cities, the following list has been prepared. This 
list comprises only those trees which can he grown with a 
reasonable assurance of success on the streets and avenues of 
Manhattan. 

This list is arranged in order of quality considered in re- 
lation to the ability to succeed under the local adverse con- 
ditions : 

(1) Platanus oeiextalts (The Oriental or London 
rinne) : aho "known as BiUton Ball or Sycamore. 

This tree is well known and already much used in this city. 
Tt is ouo of the hardiest and most ndii])t:i1)lp of trees for use 




Photograph by L. D. Cox. 
The Gingko as a Street Tree. 

An example of the remarkable hardihood of this tree under adverse city con- 
ditions. Although the tree is growing in an opening in the pavement less than 
two feet in diameter, and with a trunk which has been^more thanj'half girdled 
by injury for many years the tree appears in perfect health. Probably no other 
tree except the Ailanthus would have survived under similar'^conditions. 



A Street Tree System for New York City 45 

on city streets and possesses much beauty, especially in old 
age. It has very few enemies, is little subject to disease and 
is a rapid grower and long-lived. It normally makes a large 
tree, so is not adapted for use in narrow streets unless kept 
back by severe pruning. It is well adapted for such prun- 
ing, and is uninjured by it. This tree is to be used wherever 
a large tree is desired as on wide streets and avenues, or can 
be used as noted as a formally pruned, medium-sized tree 
for narrow streets. 

(2) GiNGKO BiLOBA {The Maidenhair Tree). 

This tree is extremely hardy and succeeds in very poor soil, 
and is very free from insects and disease as well as being a 
tree of considerable beauty. Its chief fault is its sIoav rate 
of growth, but for street use where a small-sized tree is re- 
quired this defect is not serious. It is readily kept either 
round-headed or pyramidal in form by pruning. This tree 
would be especially valuable for use in Manhattan on narrow 
streets or where a formally pruned tree is required. It is 
doubtful if any tree on our list will succeed so well under ad- 
verse conditions as the Gingko. 

(3) TiLiA VULGARIS (The European Linden)* 

This is the tree so much used as a street tree in European 
cities. It is a beautiful tree in both form and foliage and its 
bloom is delightful in fragrance. The tree is thoroughly 
hardy, succeeds under the adverse conditions of a city street 
and is a rapid grower, yet takes kindly to severe pruning. 

The Linden has received a bad name in l^ew York be- 
cause many of the varieties which have been used lose their 
foliage in the warm weather of July and August due to the 
attacks of the red spider. If the true Tilia vidr/aris is used 
this trouble will usually not be experienced. Great care 
should be exercised in securing the true species as nursery- 
men often offer under the name vulgaris another species 

* The author is indebted to the article by F. L. OhTisted and H. J. 
Koehler in the July number of "Landscape Architecture" for the true 
nomenclature of the lindens as here used. 




Photograph by L. D. Cox. 

The Linden as a Street Tree. 

An example from New Haven of a Silver Linden ( Tilia iomentosa) planted in 
a small tree pit beneath a sidewalk grating on a paved street. The grating and 
guard are similar^to those recommended in I'lanting Specification No. 3. 




Photograph by L. D. Cox. 
Existing Planting on West 86th Street. 



The Norway Maple as a Street Tree. 

The trees are too crowded and about 50 per cent of them should be removed. 
A lighter guard, with the existing fences around the parking areas, would 
give ample protection and would be more economical and better looking. A 
square guard is difRcult to keep in good appearance since a slight variation in 
alignment along the tree rows is very apparent. The round guard of Speci- 
fication No. 4 would be better if a heavy guard must be used. 




Pliotograph by L. D Cox. 

The Pin Oak as a Street Tree. 

Pin Oaks on a Manhattan street planted in tree pits with gravel surface 
similar to the requirements of Planting Specification No. 2. The surface of 
the tree pit should be kept lower than the sidewalk pavement in order to catch 
any available water. The soil should also be frequently cultivated as it is 
rapidly compacted by traffic. If these trees are not permitted to become too 
large, a very successful growth may^be maintained. 



A Street Tree System for New York City 49 

(Tilia platyphyllos) the large-leaved European Linden 
which is badly affected by the red spider and is a generally 
inferior tree in many ways. There are two other lindens, 
probably equally as good for street use as Tilia vulgaris. 
These are Tilia cordata, the small-leaved European Linden 
and Tilia tomentosa, the Silver Linden. These have not 
been used so long as street trees in America and so less is 
known about them. 

(4) Acer platanoides {The Norway Maple). 

This is the best Maple which can be grown successfully 
on city streets. There are several horticultural varieties of 
this tree on the market which may prove superior to the type 
when better known. The varieties differ from the type prin- 
cipally in form. Two of the best are var glohosum which is 
very round and formal and var columnare which is tall and 
columnar. The type tree forms a round-headed, attrac- 
tive appearing tree so well known that a detailed descrip- 
tion is not necessary. While subject to a number of in- 
sect pests the tree can be kept in good health with reasonable 
care. The N^orway Maple stands street conditions very well, 
but it is less hardy than the Plane and Gingko, and should 
only be used where soil and moisture conditions are fairly 
good. It is not as well adapted for use beneath gratings as 
the Linden, Plane or Gingko. The jSTorway Maple is to be 
recommended for use on residence streets where fair-sized 
tree pits or parking areas are available. The photo on page 
16 shows the beauty of a street planted to Xorway Maples 
when the trees are w^ell grown. 

5. QuEKCus PALUSTEis {Tlic Pin Oak). 

While less hardy than the Plane ;.::d Gingko, the Pin Oak 
will make a splendid growth in a eery restricted area if soil 
conditions are reasonably good. Being a slow grower it is 
very easy to keep it of small size by pruning and in this way 
the top may be kept in balance with the root growth where 
the space available for the roots is limited. An example of 
this is seen in the present successful planting on T^orth Broad- 




Photograph by L. D. Cox. 

The Formally Pruned Poplar as a Street Tree. 

This picture indicates the very pleasing effect which may be secured with 
this'tree on a bu.sy street if the trees are kept low and of formal shape by severe 
pruning. These trees are on lower FifthjAvenue, and form one of the most 
successful bits of tree planting in New York. 



A Street Tree Systcia for New York City 51 

way where the trees are growing in a few feet of soil above 
the subway roof. This tree has few enemies, and can easily 
be kept in fine foliage. It is adapted for use as a normal 
sized tree in deep soil as well as for pruning to a limited 
size where the soil is shallow. The Pin Oak is no more 
hardy than the Red Oak, but on account of its slower 
growth is more adaptable to adverse street conditions. 

(). PopuLus DELToiDEs {vav. Carolhiiensis) . {The Caro- 
lina Poplar) . 

The Carolina Poplar is generally held in bad repute as a 
street tree because of the tendency of its roots to clog sewers 
and water pipes and because the brittle nature of its wood 
makes it liable to injury in storms. However, if the tree 
is kept pruned to a small size and formal shape, both these 
objections are largely overcome, and its luxuriant green 
foliage, even under the most adverse conditions, make it 
very valuable for certain locations. It is well adapted for 
use when pruned in this manner on congested business 
streets grown in a restricted tree pit beneath a grating. 
Being a rapid grower and easily moved when of fair size it 
would be possible with this tree to maintain uniform tree 
lines of formally pruned trees on streets where few other 
trees could be made to succeed.* 

7. AiLANTHUS GLAisDULosA {The Tree of Heaven). 

The Ailanthus is even more hardy than the Plane, the 
Gingko or the Poplar and requires a minimum of soil and 
water to succeed. This tree will grow luxuriantly where 
no other tree could exist, and this is its chief value in any 
list of street trees. In appearance it is fair, the foliage be- 
ing rather coarse and tropical in effect, but always of a 
luxuriant green. The tree tends to grow straggly, and has a 
rather unsightly appearance in the winter. The Ailanthus 

* The Shade Tree Commission of Newark has used the Poplar treated 
in this way with considerable success. There exists on lower Fifth 
avenue several trees thus pruned which are among the most effective 
and successful street trees to be found in New York. 




Photofiraph by L. D. Cox. 

The Ailanthus as a Street Tree. 

An aged Ailanthus on lower Fifth Avenue bearing a healthy crown of foliage 
under conditions in which most trees would perish. The tree is growing in an 
opening in the pavement about 3x4 feet and the trunk is nearly girdled by 
bark injuries. 



.1 ^'<tl•c('t Tree Sij-sicni for New York City 53 

grows with a pitliv center so that old trees often become 
dangerously weak while still appearing to be in full vigor. 
The habit of the tree can be much improved by formal prun- 
ing, and when used as a street tree should not be allowed to 
attain too large a size. The Ailanthus is recommended for 
use especially south of 59th Street where growing condi- 
tions are worst. The tree is dioecious, and the female form 
should only be used, as the flowers of the male tree have a 
disagreeable odor. It would probably be necessary for the 
city to propagate the trees in its own nursery to make cer- 
tain of the sex of the trees used. 

The following additional list is suggested as comprising 
trees which might, under the most expert attention be grown 
successfully on Manhattan streets, but only on streets where 
conditions are most favorable. Such conditions would be 
found on wide streets with generous gravel or grass parkings, 
good depth of soil and where the buildings are moderately 
low and the traffic light. 

1. QuERCus RUBRA (The Red Oak). 

2. Acer rubrum {The Red Maple). 

3. Fraxinus AMERICANA {The American oi' Wliiie Ash). 

4. Ulmus MONTANA {The Scotch Elm). 

5. Ulmus Americana {The American Elm). 

G. Aesculus hippocastanum {Tlie Horse Chestmit). 




Photograph by L. D. Cox. 

Scientific Culture Will Overcome Adverse City Conditions. 

A planting of Pin Oaks on a Washington, D. C, street. This picture shows 
the excellent effect produced by these trees even when grown in small tree 
pits on a paved street. The openings in the pavement around these trees are 
approximately 4x8 feet. The planting approximates Planting Specification 
No. 2. 



VI I. ^tim to fimt 



A Irtailrft (CnttHibrratinu uf (^rouiing (EuuJittinttH aub Planting 

iiftl|n&0 

It is only when we come to consider the actual details of 
planting that we find, as suggested in Chapter II, the diffi- 
culties which beset successful tree growth in Manhattan. 
The problems which must be solved, in addition to those nor- 
mally met in street tree culture such as protection against 
physical injury and the ravages of insects and disease, are 
of two general classes : 

(I) Those which pertain to securing and maintaining 
correct soil conditions. 

(II) Those which pertain to securing and maintaining 
correct crown conditions. 

The latter consist principally in adjusting the size of the 
crown to the available sidewalk widths and to the capacity 
of the roots in their restricted soil areas. Such problems 
can largely be solved by correct pruning which is not diffi- 
cult to secure. 

By keeping a perfect balance between the top growth and 
the root system one may often secure a successful street tree 
even when soil conditions are generally bad and where a 
large-sized tree would almost certainly fail. 

A correct adjustment of the tree shade for any street to 
the supply of light and air necessary for the lower stories of 
the buildings upon the street depends largely upon the 
sidewalk width and the planting desig-n. There can be no 
question but that limiting^ top growth by severe pnining is 
often advisable for reasons of health and hygiene as well 
as for the aesthetic reason of improving the design and 
the purely horticultural reason of securing successful 
growth. This matter has already been mentioned in 
Chapter IV. 

(55) 



56 College of Forestry 

The problems which have to do with soil conditions are 
less simple of solution and yet it is upon the skill shown in 
solving them that the success or failure of the whole opera- 
tion must depend. To secure correct soil conditions it is 
necessary to provide for each and every tree as follows : 

(1) A sufficient amount of good soil. 

In some cities no consideration has to be given to this 
matter as the existing soil is satisfactory both as regards 
quality and amount. In Manhattan this is practically never 
the case, and generally speaking we must figure on providing 
at least two cubic yards of first-class loam or topsoil and this 
even when there is a subsoil of some value. When, as in 
the case of the restricted tree pit, we must provide the entire 
soil supply of the roots the minimum requirement should be 
three cubic yards, while five would be better. In Paris three 
cubic yards of good soil is the standard requirement in 
planting new trees. 

(2) Sufficient moisture. 

In the writer's opinion this is the most important element 
in successful tree growth. In the case of trees planted in 
very restricted areas this can only be supplied by artificial 
means. Even where a good subsoil exists, it is doubtful if 
the tree can secure, unaided, sufiieient moisture for its needs 
even after being established. The reason for this is that the 
continuous pavement of the ground surface prevents the 
ground water from being replenished from natural sources. 
To secure successful street trees in Manhattan, continuous 
irrigation is advised in practically all cases. There are 
various ways of providino; this, such as by tile and 'dry 
wells, or by some form of underground pipes as in the so- 
called " automatic " lawn sprinkling systems in use in the 
arid regions of the southwest.* 

A method of irrigation advocated by some authorities is 
to pierce the gutter curb opposite the tree and secure in this 

* Discussed in tlotail by the writer in tlie American City ^Magazine, 
September, 1014. 



A Street Tree System for New York City 57 

way the water from street flushing and storms. Before the 
advent of the automobile and the use of oil as a dust layer 
or in road construction this method was of value, but today 
the injury from the oil and grease which would be thus 
washed into the soil around the tree roots would more than 
offset the value of the water received. This has been found 
to be the case by German tree experts who formerly made 
use of this practice. 

Where a grating is used over the surface of the tree pit 
some water is secured from the rains by way of the sidewalk 
and the rest can be provided by weekly or fortnightly flood- 
ing with a hydrant hose or sprinkling wagon. 

Where bricks laid in sand are used instead of a tree grat- 
ing as a traffic surface for the tree pit, a tile or dry well sys- 
tem or the underground pipe system of irrigation will be 
needed. These methods are also suitable for trees in un- 
fenced gravel parkings or continuous strips paved with 
bricks laid in sand. In the case of trees grown in grass 
parkings or gravel areas protected from traffic by fences, 
an occasional heavy surface watering will usually be suffi- 
cient if the grading is such that a good supply is held in 
a depression around the tree trunk. 

The amount of water needed by any tree or street of trees 
will depend upon the species of tree, the physical character- 
istics of the soil, the drainage below ground, the rainfall, 
the season of the year, etc., and can only be determined by 
experience. 

(3) Proper drainage. 

The securing of proper drainage follows, of course, as a 
corrollary of the above, and if the subsoil does not provide 
for it adequately, underdrainage in some form must be pro- 
vided artificially. A layer of loose stones and a tile to the 
nearest low-lying sewer will provide such drainage in the 
simplest and most effective way. Sometimes dynamiting the 
subsoil will provide adequate drainage if the substrata are 
suitable. 



58 College of Forestry 

(4j Proper aeration of the soil. 

iN'ext to a supply of water, a well aerated soil is the most 
necessary condition for successful tree growth. Probably 
more street trees in Manhattan die because of a deficiency 
in respect to air and water than from any other cause. 

Where a tree is not planted in turf, the only way to insure 
a proper aeration of the soil is by frequent cultivation of 
the ground surface above the roots. All street trees planted 
in gravel parkings or in tree pits with or without gratings 
should receive such treatment at least every three or four 
weeks during the growing season. In the case of gravel sur- 
faced tree pits which are protected by a fence from traffic or 
in the case of tree pits surfaced with brick laid upon a good 
cushion of loose sand it is probably only necessary to culti- 
vate two or three times a season. 

Where gratings are used they should be of a design which 
permits of easy removal for frequent cultivation. The chief 
value of the grating lies in its improvement of aeration 
conditions by protecting the ground surface from becom- 
ing compacted by traffic. Hence an immovable grating which 
prevents frequent cultivation destroys its main reason for 
existence. There are a number of gratings in Manhattan 
which are thus largely worthless. The soil beneath a grat- 
ing, because of the nearly continuous sh.ide, will soon grow 
sour and prevent proper aeration if not culi 'vated. 

(5) A supply of plant food. 

Sufficient food for a successful street tree ^/ill be largely 
secured from good soil, and sufficient aij' and water without 
fertilization, but where the soil supply is unusually limited 
an annual application of fertilizer is advisable. Bono meal, 
lime, well rotted manure, and various chemical fertilizers 
rich in phosphates and nitrates may all be used with success. 
Where gratings are used oats or clover may be planted in 
early summer and dug under when four or five inches high, 
or dead leaves may be piled under the gratings in the fall 
and covered with a light dressing of well rotted manure and 
the whole spaded under the following spring. In the use of 



A Street Tree System for New York City 59 

fertilizer in growing street trees conditions and experience 
must guide our practice. 

As has already been noted, great variation in use and con- 
ditions between different streets makes any single method 
of planting or any hard and fast planting specilication un- 
wise. If such a single standard should be adopted it would 
be extremely inefficient. If a specification were selected 
which would be appropriate for streets where conditions 
are unfavorable it would entail a large and unnecessary ex- 
pense for planting under more favorable conditions. On 
the contrary a specification suitable for streets with favor- 
able growing conditions would result in failure on many 
others. AVith this idea in mind several types of planting 
with their corresponding specifications have been suggested. 
Some one of these types will be found suitable for every 
Manhattan street in which planting is possible or advisable. 

The various streets upon which planting is suggested may 
be grouped into three general classes with regard to the type 
of planting appropriate for each. 

I. Those streets where growing conditions are very good, 
and where trees can be planted in grass or gravel parkings. 
(Planting to be done according to Planting Spec. ISTo. 1.) 

II. Those streets where growing conditions are reasonably 
good, and where trees can be planted in parking areas or 
tree pits either with or without sidewalk grating or other 
form of ground surface protection and where light tree 
guards are sufficient. (Planting to be done according to 
Planting Spec, No. 2 and 3.) 

III. Those streets where growing conditions are hardest, 
and where the trees must be planted in small tree pits and 
provided with gratings and where on account of the traffic 
heavy guards are necessary. Planting to be done according 
to Planting Spec. ISTo. 4 and 5. 

The accompanying map shows our proposed and pos- 
sible street tree system divided into these three classes or 
zones differentiated on the map by color.* 

* This map being of purely administrative value has been omitted 
from the published report. 



60 College of Forestry 

rive types of planting specilications which the writer has 
compiled or originated are recommended as follows together 
with the classes of streets for which they are appropriate.* 
Details of both specifications and estimates will be found in 
the next chapter. 

I. Street Tkee Planting Specification ]^o. 1. 
(Estimated cost $10 per tree.) 

This specification is suggested for use under the most 
favorable conditions and is adapted for residence streets, 
parkways and boulevards when parking strips or fenced 
parking areas (either grass or gravel) already exist or may 
be secured. This specification will apply, of course, to streets 
with central as well as side parkings. 

Note. — The estimated cost does not cover the cost of 
iron fences around the parking strips or areas if these are 
necessary, or the uncovering of the parking strip or area if 
the same is at present paved. 

II. Stkeet Tree Planting Specification 'No. 2. 
(Estimated cost $15-$20 per tree.) 

This specification is for use under fairly favorable con- 
ditions and is adapted for residence streets or business 
streets which do not contain parking strips but where the 
sidewalks are wide and the traffic does not demand gratings 
or heavy guards. The tree pits may be kept in grass (fenced) 
or gravel or the surface may be paved with brick laid in 
sand. 



* The writer wishes to acknowledge that many suggestions and ideas 
respecting the details of these specifications were derived from a study 
of the tree-planting work and writings of the following men : A. A. 
Shurtleflf, Landscape Architect; F. L. Olmstead, Landscape Architect, 
both of Boston; City Forester George A. Cromie of New Haven; Sec- 
retary Carl Bannwart of the Shade Tree Commission of Newark; City 
Forester H. B. Filer of Buffalo; City Engineer Frank E. Lanigan of 
Albany, N. Y. Acknowledgment is also made to the following men for 
detailed replies to letters of inquiry regarding Street Tree Practice and 
experience in their respective cities: John Boddy, City Forester, Cleve- 
land; R. B. Maxwell, City Forester, Baltimore; H. J. Neal, City For- 
ister, Worcester; L. F. Peck, Superintendent of Streets, Hartford. 



.1 street Tree Sj/stein for Xetc Yurk Citi/ (11 

III. Street Tree Planting Specification No. 3. 
(Estimated cost $25 to $35 per tree.) Cost varies accord- 
ing to the style of grating used. 

This specification is suggested for use under fairly favor- 
able conditions and is adapted for residence or business 
streets where traffic conditions make gratings desirable or 
necessary, but where heavy guards are not demanded. 

IV. Street Tree Planting Specification No. 4. 
(Estimated cost $40.) 

This specification is for use under the most unfavorable 
conditions where tree planting is at all possible and is 
adapted for congested business streets where the traffic 
makes necessary an extra heavy tree guard as well as a 
grating. 

Note. — ■ This grating and guard have been specially 
designed with the idea of easy removal so that frequent 
cultivation of the soil is possible. 

V. Street Tree Planting Specification No. 5. 
(Estimated cost $50 to $60.) 

This specification is for use under the same conditions 
as No. 4 and is adapted for the same class of streets. This 
specification is at present in use by the Park Department. 
It differs from Specification No. 4 in that the tree guard is 
square instead of round, and of lighter construction, while 
the area of the grating is slightly larger. This specification 
is admirable save for the fact that the difficulty of removing 
the grating makes frequent cultivation impossible. While 
a degree of cultivation may be given through the openings 
in the grating, such cultivation will never be wholly 
satisfactory. 




V^"^^^^. 



C oisTi rNuous Parking Stri 



Detail Sketch 

Street Tree Planting 

Specification n^i 



L. D. Cox, L. A. 

The details of this planting specification are given on the opposite page. 
The estimated cost is $10.00 per tree. 



VII L Ollir OIoBt of ^aianttttB 

(illtr Srtails af tbr i'tau^ar^t2r^ planting g»prrtfirattons au^ 
tbr lEatimatr^ (Unat 

The specificatious and estimates for the five types of 
phmtiiig described as recommended above are here given : 

I. Street Teee Plantixg Specification jSTo. 1. 

(a) 8uh-So iling : 

A tree pit shall be constructed 4x6 feet in area and 3 
feet deep. It shall be excavated and refilled v^ith good soil 
l)ringing in from the outside as much new top soil as may be 
necessary, and hauling away all sub-soil so replaced. If the 
natural drainage is not satisfactory, suitable underdrainage 
with tile shall be provided. Where rock is encountered at 
the bottom of the pit this shall be shattered to a depth of 
several feet by a charge of low-grade dynamite. 

(6) Fertilizer: 

Ten pounds of bone meal shall be applied, mixed thor- 
oughly with the soil of the tree pit and a top dressing of 
two inches of well-rotted stable manure shall be given after 
the tree is planted. This top dressing shall not be placed 
nearer to the trunk of the tree than 18 inches. 

(c) Tree: 

The tree used shall be from IV^ to 2 inches in caliper, 
straight of stem and symmetrical in form, of vigorous 
growth provided with compact fibrous roots. The trees in 
any single block shall be pruned at the time of planting to 
secure similar height, shape and size, and no branches shall 
be left which shall be lower than 7 feet from the surface of 
the sidewalk after the tree is planted. 

r63) 



/•^roEWALf^ Pa 




Chestnut 5t-ake -^ 



W1RE-ME3M 
TfiEE GUAR,0. 



Tr.ee P(t Without Qrating 



Detail Sketch 

Street Tree Planting 

Specification N^a 



L. D. Cox, L. A. 



The details of this planting specification are given on pages 65 and 67. 
The estimated cost is $15.00 per tree. 



A Street Tree System for New York City G5 

(d) Guard: 

A galvanized wire guard of V2 inch square mesh dis- 
tinguished as style " Newark " on the attached detail draw- 
ing shall be provided. This guard shall be wrapped tightly 
around the trunk of the tree and secured with galvanized 
wire, being kept from any possible contact with the bark by 
a ring or washer of rubber hose provided at the top and 
bottom of the guard. 

(e) Stake: 

A chestnut or oak stake 2^2 inches square and 12 feet 
long shall be provided. The stake shall be driven firmly 
into the ground outside the' guard and attached securely to 
the guard at top and bottom with galvanized wire. Above 
the guard the stake shall be fastened to the tree with can- 
vas strips or rubber hose. (For this tie it is recommended 
to use a special material known as " Two-ply cotton belt '' 
2V2 inches wide, manufactured by the Buffalo Mill Supply 
Co.) Care shall be taken that the stake shall in no place 
come in contact with the bark of the tree. Before use, the 
stake shall be dipped in hot tar or creosote to a depth of four 
feet and the remaining portion of the stake shall be covered 
with a creosote stain, dark green in color. 

Estimate : 

Excavating and sub-soiling $4 00 

Tree delivered 1 50 

Stake 50 

Guard and attachments 1 00 

Planting and miscellaneous labor 1 00 

Cultivation and replacements until tree is 

established 2 00 

$10 00 per tree 
11. Street Tree Planting Specification No. 2. 

(a) Cutting pavement 

The pavement of the sidewalk over the area of the pro- 
posed tree pit shall be removed so as provide an opening 



,r-x,. 




Detail Sketch 
Street Tree Planting 

Specification Nea 
(Brick surf-ace over tree pit) 



L. D. Cox, L. A. 

The details of this planting specification are given on the opposite page. 
The estimated cost is $20.00 per tree. 



A Street Tree System for New Yorh City 67 

4' X 6' 2'' in area. The outer or street edge of this opening 
shall be one foot from the outside edge of the sidewalk curb. 
The margins of the opening thus made shall be finished in 
a workmanlike manner. 

]^OTE. — The size of the opening is such that a standard 
grating can later be installed if needed. 

(h) The detail requirements regarding sub-soiling, ferti- 
lizer, tree, guard and stahe shall be as stated in Planting 
Specification No.l. 

Where the surface of the tree pit is to be paved with 
brick the following requirements shall apply. 

(c) Brick Surface 

The opening in the pavement over the area of the pro- 
posed tree pit shall be of the size shown on the accompany- 
ing drawing illustrating " Planting Specification No. 2, 
with brick surface." 

The surface of the pit shall be paved with hard burned 
vitrified standard size brick laid upon a 2-inch laj'er of clean 
coarse sand. The bricks shall be laid with a half-inch 
joint and in the manner shown on the drawing and the 
joints shall be filled with sand. 

A tile and dry well shall be provided to supply irrigation, 
located and constructed as shown on the drawing. 

Estimiate : 

Excavating and sub-soiling $6 00 

Cutting and trimming pavement 2 00 

Tree delivered 1 50 

Stake 50 

Guard and attachments 1 00 

Planting and miscellaneous labor 100 

Cultivation and replacements until tree 

is established 3 00 

with gravel surface $15 00 per tree (a) 
Prick surface 5 00 



wdtli brick surface $20 00 per tree(b) 




Detail Sketch 

Street Tree Planting 

Specification M23 

Grating Style "New Haven' 



L. D. Cox, L. A. 

The details of this planting specification are given on the opposite page. 
The estimated cost is $25.00 per tree. 



A Street Tree System for New York City 69 

III. Street Tree Planting Specification No. 3. 

(a) Cutting Pavement: 

The sidewalk pavemeut over the area of the proposed 
tree pit shall be removed so as to provide an opening 
4'x 6' 2" or 4' x C 1" according to the style of tree grating 
to be used. The outer or street edge of this opening shall 
be one foot from the outer edge of the sidewalk curb. The 
margins of the opening shall be provided with a half-inch 
ledge finished in a workmanlike manner. This ledge shall 
receive the grating in such a way that the grating shall lie 
flush with the sidewalk. 

(h) G-rating : 

A wrought or cast-iron grating of size and construction 
know as style '' New Haven ", style " New York " or style 
'"Knickerbocker" shall be provided (as illustrated in draw- 
ings of Planting Specification No. 3). 

(c) The detail requirements regarding sub-soiling, ferti- 
lizer, tree, guard and stake shall be as stated in Planting 
Specification No. 1. 

Estimate : 

Excavating and sub-soiling $6 00 

Cutting and trimming pavement 3 00 

Tree delivered 1 50 

Stake 50 

Guard and attachments 100 

Planting and miscellaneous labor. ... 1 00 
Cultivation and replacements until 

tree is established 2 00 

Grating (style '' New Haven ") 10 00 

$25 00 a tree {a) 

Note. — With the grating style " New 
York" costino- $l,5.0o" the estimate 
becomes . . . . ^ $30 00 a tree (&) 

With the grating style " Knicker- 
bocker " cx>stino-' $20.00 the estimate 
becomes ^. $35 00 a tree (c) 




>SlpEVVAl_K PA-vEViE. 



C.I GKATimGi CSTYLt New YOR.B 



I e> - 6 » 

B| iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimB ~T 



Detail Sketch 
Street. Tree Peamting 

Specification n-s. 
GRATING STYLE "New York:': 



L. D. Cox, L. A. 



The details of this planting specification are given on page 69. 
The estimated cost is $30.00 per tree. 




Detail Sketch. 
Street Tree Planting 
Specieication N24. 
Gratimg Style "Knickerbocker: 



L. D. Cox, L A. 



The details of this planting specification are given on page 72. 
The estimated cost is $40.00 per tree. 



9, 



College of Forestry 



IV. SxjfEET Teee Planting Specification ]^o. 4. 

(a) Cutting Pavement: 

The sidewalk pavement over the area of the tree pit shall 
be removed so as to provide an opening 4^x6' 7". The 
outside or street edge of this opening shall be one foot from 
the outside edge of the sidewalk curb. The margin of the 
opening shall be provided with a half-inch ledge to receive 
the grating in such a way that the grating shall lie flush wath 
the sidewalk. 

(&) Grating: 

A cast iron grating 4' x 6' 6" designated as style " Knick- 
erbocker •""' shall be provided. This grating is shown on the 
accompanying drawing of Planting Specification No. 4. 

(c) The detail requirements regarding suh-soiling, ferti- 
lizer, tree, guard and stal-e shall be as stated in Planting- 
Specification j^o. 1. 

Estimate : 

Excavating and sub-soiling $6 00 

Cutting and trimming pavement 3 00 

Grating 20 00 

Guard 7 00 

Tree delivered 1 50 

Stake 50 

Planting and miscellaneous labor 1 00 

Cultivation and replacements until tree is 

established 1 00 



$40 00 per tree 

V. Street Tree Planting Specification ISTo. 5. 

This is the type of specification already in use by the 
Park Department, detailed specifications and drawings of 
which are on file in the ofiice of the landscape architect of 
the department. The estimated cost of this type of planting 
is from $50 to $60 per tree, according to number of trees 
planted at one time. (See estimate in ofiice of Landscape 
Architect of Park Department.) 




Detail Sketch 
Street Tree Planting. 
Specifjcation N5 5. 
GRATING St YL.E "Manhattan 



L. D. Cox, L. A. 



This planting specification is described on page 72. 
The estimated cost is $50.00-S60.00 per tree. 



IX. (ill|p (irgatti^atton txnh Mxxh^H 

A i'trppt ®rrr lurrait au& tljr italimatrft (Enat nf Jta OPprratiim 

If we examine the details of street tree control in various 
American cities we find that there are in general use three 
quite difi"erent forms of street tree administration. 

I. That in which the authority over street trees is placed 
in the hands of an independent board or comm.ission. 

II. That in which this authority is exercised by a Bureau 
of the Park Department. 

ill. That in which this authority is exercised by some 
other bureau such as the Street Department or the Board of 
Public Works. 

The second plan is without doubt the best, and the one in 
most common use. In the case of New York City this form 
of administration is provided for hx charter, and the 
authority over street tree maintenance and planting in each 
borough is placed in the hands of the Borough Park 
Department. 

In approaching the problem in ^lanhattan therefore it is 
only necessary to perfect an arboricultural organization 
already possible or existing in the Park Department, and to 
determine the annual revenue which will be necessary for the 
maintenance of such an organization. 

With the idea of arriving at an accurate estimate as to the 
probable cost of adequate street tree control in Manhattan, 
an investigation has been made of the cost of similar work 
in a number of American cities where efficient departments 
of city forestry are maintained. It is of course as difficult 
as in the case of park operation, to standardize exactly such 
a peculiar type of public service as street tree control. How- 
ever, if the cost figures of various cities are interpreted with 

(74) 



.4 Street Tree System for New Yorh City 75 

the knowledge of the differing local conditions some degree 
of basic comparison may be made. 

In estimating the cost of street tree control in Manhattan 
it is necessary to note first the cost for the trees which are 
to be maintained, both existing and proposed, and second the 
cost of the new planting. The system of street tree planting 
which is outlined on the map accompanying this report pro- 
vides for approximately eighty-five miles of planted streets 
which would give, at the rate of 200 trees to the mile (the 
number secured by following the spacing arrangement of our 
proposed block planting plans), approximately 17,000 trees, 
There is perhaps a street mileage half as great which is not 
included in the system, but upon which street trees may be 
grown successfully if desired (i. e., streets purely residential 
in character, lying in the proposed restricted residential 
districts). Assuming 8,000 trees to be the number required 
for such streets we get a total of 25,000 trees as the number 
of street trees which may be ultimately secured in the 
Borough of Manhattan. 

The street tree census, which was completed by the 
writer as far north as 110th Street, recorded 5,400 trees. 
From a careful examination of the balance of the Borough, 
it would seem that a reasonable estimate would place the 
number of street trees south of 110th Street at about one- 
third of the entire number in the city, so that an estimate 
of 15,000 is a fairly accurate one as to the number of exist- 
ing trees upon Manhattan streets. Fully two-thirds of these 
existing trees are, however, in a very unsatisfactory condi- 
tion, and probably not more than 5,000 can be considered a 
part of our permanent planting. 

Our problem thus becomes the preservation of the 5,000 
existing trees which are of pennanent value, and the re- 
placement of the 10,000 inferior or deteriorating trees, 
together with the planting of an additional 10,000 new trees 
on streets not now planted. Our maintenance operations 
will therefore begin with the total of 15,000 trees which, 
allowing for the removal of dead and dying specimens, may 
be considered to be increased each vear bv one-half the 



76 College of Forestry 

number of the trees aunually planted assuming au annual 
planting- of 1,000 trees, until the 10,000 inferior trees are 
replaced, and the annual increase is only sufficient to equal 
replacements. The number of new trees which shall be 
planted is of course only limited by the funds available, and, 
if a really progressive policy is to be adopted, should not be 
less than 1,000 trees, or five miles of our proposed system, 
until the 10,000 additional new trees are secured. 

Based on these figures, a tree planting program for a five- 
year period from date would give an annual maintenance 
and planting problem somewhat as follows: 

First year: Maintenance of 15.000 trees. Xew planting 
of l,000\rees. 

Second year: Maintenance of 15,500 trees. Xew plant- 
ing of 1,000 trees. 

Third year: Maintenance of 16,000 trees. Xew planting 
of 1,000 trees. 

Fourth year: Maintenance of 16,500 trees. Xew plant- 
ing of 1,000 trees. 

Fifth year: Maintenance of 17,000 trees. Xew planting 
of 1,000' trees. 

It is evident then that if we can learn the average ex- 
pense per tree for annual maintenance, and also the cost of 
our new planting, we can establish very accurately the an- 
nual budget which will be necessary for our proposed Bureau 
of City Forestry, and hence the size and scope of the re- 
quired organization. 

Maintetmnce : 

As has been said above, it is very difficult to standardize 
the cost of street tree maintenance. The city of Paris, 
world-famous for the beauty of its street trees, finds it neces- 
sary to spend $1.25 per tree for annual maintenance. We 
have no American city with similar conditions maintaining 
its trees at the same degree of excellence, and, in those Amer- 
ican cities where first-class street tree maintenance is secured. 



.1 street Tree Sijstein for Neiv Yorh City 77 

the conditions do not reseniLle those in Manhattan as much 
as the Paris conditions do. 

The city of !N"ewark, IST. J., spends fifty cents per tree per 
year for its street tree maintenance. The Xewark trees are 
extremely well maintained, bnt the majority of their trees 
are grown in grass parkings under the best conditions, and 
also the number of old "trees is small, so that the cost of re- 
movals is at a minimum. 

In Buifalo, with even better growing conditions where the 
trees nearly all exist on parkways or residential streets with 
wide parkings, and also where the number of removals is 
small, the cost is but twenty-five cents per tree. 

In ISTew Haven the cost of maintenance is approximately 
thirty cents per tree. Here again growing conditions are 
excellent, and the increased cost over that of Buffalo is prob- 
ably due to the greater number of removals made necessary 
because of the great preponderance of aged trees in New 
Haven. In all of these cities conditions are much better 
than those of ISTew York — and the cost figures under the 
conditions of Paris as noted above are of much more value 
as a means of comparison. Considering these factors, an 
estimate of $1 per tree per year would certainly seem to be 
a minimum estimate for maintaining trees in Manhattan 
streets. If we assume this figure, we would then require, to 
maintain the existing 15,000 trees in Manhattan, an original 
appropriation for maintenance alone of $15,000 per year. 
This sum would increase with the increase due to the annual 
planting increase of 500 trees, $500 per year until the 
system was complete. 

The Boroughs of Manhattan and Richmond, according to 
the figures of the last annual report, received a budget ap- 
propriation for the care of trees in streets amounting in 
round numbers to $18,000. As the greater part of this 
sum is expended in Manhattan it should be practically suffi- 
cient for first-class maintenance under proper street tree or- 
ganization. However, under the present arrangement the 
same forces have charge of tree maintenance in both streets 



78 Collc(/e of Forestry 

and parks, and as a natural consequence a large part of this 
sum goes for the care of park trees rather than for street 
trees. 

A^eiv Planting: 

To secure the total budget for the proposed street tree 
bureau we must add to the expense of maintenance the 
amount which will be required for the annual new planting. 

The cost of planting street trees will be found to depend 
just as ill the case of maintenance upon local conditions, 
and when we come to examine the planting costs in various 
cities we hnd even more striking variations than in the 
case of maintenance costs. 

The cost of planting and establishing a street tree in 
various cities where systematic street tree planting is being 
done is as follows :* 

In Cleveland (planting oidy) $3 00 

In Hartford .' ' 3 30 

In Worcester 3 25 

In New Haven 4 00 

In ISTewark 4 65 

In Baltimore 6 00 

In Minneapolis G 4(5 

In Buffalo Y 00 

In Brooklyn 8 00 

In ISTewark (with gratings) 10 65 

In l^ew Haven (with gratings) lY 00 

In Albany (with gratings) 35 00 

In Boston, work done by contract including 

replacement guarantee 40 00 

It is only in these latter cases that the type of planting 
at all corresponds with the type which is demanded on the 
majority of Manhattan streets. 

Careful estimates of tree planting according to the five 
different types of Planting Specifications, some one of which 

* Estimate or cxat-t figures furnished h\ the officials in charge of 
street tree Avork. 



.1 >^fn'ct Tree Susteui for Xeir Yorl- Citi/ 79 

will meet all possible street conditions in Manhattan, liave 
been made and already described. The lowest of these esti- 
mates, that of Planting Specification No. 1, gives a cost of 
$10 per tree. This type of planting corresponds with 
that being done under similar conditions in Baltimore, 
Buffalo and Brooklyn, at similar cost. The most expensive 
type of planting as suggested for Manhattan, such as is 
represented by Planting Specifications J^os. 4 and 5 give 
an estiinated cost of from $40 to $60 per tree. The type 
of planting which will be most commonly demanded in Man- 
hattan, and which is represented by Planting Specifications 
'No. 2 and 3 gives an estimated cost of from $15 to $35 a 
tree, according to the type of grating or surface treatment 
of tree pit used. These types of planting correspond with 
that being done under similar condition at figures of $17, 
$35, -and $40 in ISTew Haven, Albany and Boston. 

While it is difficult to determine exactly the proportionate 
amounts of planting, according to the various types of 
planting specifications, which must be done in Manhattan 
each year, a fairly accurate estimate will be as follows : 

Fifty per cent according to Planting Specification ISTo. 2. 

Twenty-five per cent according to Planting Specification 
Ko. 3. 

Fifteen per cent according to Planting Specification 
No. 1. 

Ten per cent according to Planting Specification No. IV. 

On this basis with 1,000 trees, suggested as the amount 
of the annual planting, w^e would get an estimated cost for 
the new planting each year as follows : 

500 trees @ $15 00 $7,500 

250 trees @ 25 00 6,250 

150 trees @ 10 00 1,500 

100 trees @ 40 00 .' 4,000 



$19,250 
Supervision: 

The only additional expense save phniting and inaiiitc- 
nan.ce would be for supervision and equi])ment, which is esti- 
mated at $7,500, the details of which estimate appear below. 



80 College of Forestry 

We now find that the budget for our five-year planting 
and maintenance program described above becomes as 
follows : 

First Year: 

Maintenance of 15,000 trees @ $1 per tree $15,000 

JSTew planting, 1,000 trees (see above estimate) . . 19,250 

Supervision and equipment, estimated 7,500 

$41,Y50 
Second Year: 

Maintenance $15,500* $15,500 

E'ew planting 19,250 

Supervision and equipment 7,500 

$42,250 

Third Year $42,750 

Fourth Year $43,250 

Fifth Year $43,750 

Adopting the 1,000-tree program which is advocated, 
and which would seem a reasonable minimum if any serious 
progress is to be made in perfecting the suggested system, 
would require twenty-one years to complete the entire tree- 
planting program and eleven years to complete the main sys- 
tem. The budget for the twenty-first year would be $51,750, 
which year would see the completion of the entire tree- 
planting program. Thereafter an annual budget of $35,000 
or $40,000 should be sufficient to maintain the system in 
excellent condition and take care of all replacements due to 
the injuries or mortality. 

The conditions in Richmond are so radically different 
from those in Manhattan that it is impossible to furnish a 
combined estimate for the two boroughs. A sum of from 

* Annual increase in maintenance dne to annual increase in number 
of trees. 



A Street Tree System for New York City 



81 



$5,000 to $10,000 a year for the next decade, spent under 
the jurisdiction of the Manhattan organization would prob- 
ably secure for Richmond a satisfactory condition in the 
matter of street trees. 

The Bureau Okgaxization 

If systematic street tree control is to exist in Manhattan, 
a Bureau of City Forestiy must be created, and the control 
of such bureau must be in the hands of a forestry expert. 
A typical organization for such a bureau of forestry cap- 
able of carrying out the program we have already outlined 
could be secured by an organization composed as follows : 



Forester 
$2500-$4000 



Assistant Forester and 
Entomologist 
$1800-82400 




Five Laborers 
$750-8900 each 



The head of the Bureau, or City Forester, should be a 
man with technical training in arboriculture and landscape 
engineering, and with experience in the care and control of 
park and street trees. The salary suggested is from $:^,500 
to $4,000, according to the ability, experience and years of 
service in the department. 

There is also suggested an assistant to the forester, a man 
of similar training and with a special knowledge of ento- 
mology. This man should have considerable experience in 



82 College of Forestry 

the theory and practice of combating the diseases and insects 
which attack park and street trees, and shonld be capable of 
taking active charge of the spraying operations for the 
street tree bureau. There would also be necessary a clerk 
to handle all office records and permits, keep the cards of 
the street tree census up to date and carry on the necessary 
correspondence of the Bureau. 

The laboring forces as suggested would consist of three ex- 
perienced foremen who will have direct charge of the street 
tree laborers, handling spraying, cultivating, watering and 
pruning operations, the replacing of young trees, and the 
removals of old ones. The three gangs suggested would 
have an average force of five men each, to be increased as 
necessary in the planting and spraying seasons. There 
w^ould also be one or more foremen as required, having 
charge of the care of the trees in parks. These men with 
their working forces would be paid from the park opera- 
tion funds, and so are not included in our estimate. 

The budget for the first year of the program based on 
the proposed organization, and with the foregoing estimates 
of supervision, planting and maintenance costs can now be 
examined in detail. It would be as follows: 

I. Supervision and Equipment: 

Office at^t> Oveihiead 

(1) Forester $2,500 

Entomologist 1,800 

Clerk . . .' 1,000 

(2) Equipment 2,200 

$7,500 

An imperative immediate need in 
Manhattan is automobile transporta- 
tion for present power sprayers. 

II. Maintenance: 

Three foremen at $1,000 each $3,000 

Fifteen laborers at $750 each 11,250 

Teaming estimate 3,000 \ 

■ $17,250 



A Street Tree System for New York City 83 

($2,250 of this amount is for 
labor in establishing and replacing 
young trees and is chargeable to 
new planting.) 

III. A^ew Planting: 

(Estimate $19,250; see above.) 

Amount charged to new planting 
for labor in establishing and replac- 
ing young trees is $2,250, leaving a 
balance of $17,000 



Total $41,Y50 

jSTote. — The annual estimate of $2,200 for equipment 
should be sufficient to take care of salary raises during the 
first few years, since the demand, for new equipment will 
steadih^ decrease after the first year. 



X, ®1)P ^trrft ®rpp (Epmsuh 



3tH Purjiuar aub Balitr 

The idea of a street tree census is one wliieli has received 
mneh attention by city forestry departments, and one which 
appeals to any city street tree administration upon tirst 
approaching the street tree problem. The value of a 
permanent tree record to a bureau or department of city 
forestry is self-evident. 

It is difficult if not impossible to secure economy and 
efficiency in maintenance cost without knowing the number 
and kinds of trees being maintained, while without a census 
kept up to date the labor and cost of inspection and investi- 
gation will be increased many fold. However, the clerical 
labor involved in securing a tree census, as such is com- 
monly kept, and the maintaining of it after it has been 
secured, has caused many city forestry departments to 
abandon the scheme. In approaching this problem in Man- 
hattan the Avriter realized the necessitj' of securing a form 
of census which would eliminate the labor and effort of 
a single-tree-card-system, book system or m.ap system. 
After considerable experiment a card system especially 
adapted to conditions in Manhattan has been worked out 
which will, it is believed, secure the desired results with a 
minimum of effort and expense. 

The tree census based on this form of card can be very 
easily made in the first place, and then kept up to date with 
a modicum of labor when completed. The block is made the 
unit for the individual card. All reference to tree species 
and details of planting are made by number or letter. The 
record is to be kept in pencil to be erased and changed as 
any changes occur in tree conditions so that it is seldom 
if ever necessary to make duplicate cards or repeat a record. 

(84) 



A Street Tree Stjslcin for Xeir York City 



85 



The gatlieriug of the data for this census is well under 
way and a fair portion is already transcribed upon the 
cards.* This work should be readily completed during the 
next two months hy one man in the field and a portion of 
one oifice man's time. By the beginning of the new fiscal 



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L. D. Cox, L. A. 

Specimens Tree Census Card Typical Entries. 
Explanation : 

Varieties of trees indicated by number. (No. 4 — Norway Maple.) 

(D. B. H.)— Diameter Breast High. 

Style of guard indicated by letter. (A — wire mesh, style " Newark ".) 

Style of grating indicated by letter. (B — • cast iron grating, style " New 
York ".) 

Style of stake represented by letter. (A— 2|" x 2\" x 12' Chestnut Stake.) 

Planting Specification indicated by number (see Chapter 7). 

Note in corner for use in estimating planting and cutting requirements for 
any district. The dead trees are checked with red crayon co attract attention 
until removed. 

This card does not represent the exact condition of any street. It is merely 
typical. 

All entries to be made in pencil. 

year this census should be finished, and it will be found of 
great value to a forestry bureau when such is definitely 
established. 

With the record of the city's trees upon these cards it will 
be possible almost instantly to refer to any street block or 

* This was written September 1, 1915. 



86 Colh'r/r of Forestry 

individual tree in any section of the city, and to learn the 
kind, size and condition of the tree or trees in question. 
The saving in time in investigating complaints regarding 
trees already several times investigated will alone be worth 
the cost of the census. In addition to the information 
regarding existing trees on any street the cards will also 
carry the information regarding each block in the city as to 
the desirability of planting and the variety of tree and the 
type of planting specihcation recommended. This informa- 
tion is to be derived from the results of the investigation of 
this report or from additional study of the problem made by 
the future forestry bureau. It is needless to point out the 
value of such information thus readily accessible not only to 
the officers in the park department but to those of other 
city departments which have to do with the control and con- 
struction of streets. 

With the establishment of a forestry bureau, maps should 
be prepared upon the basis of the card census indicating by 
color the location of the various kinds of trees. Such maps 
would be invaluable in handling the spraying work of the 
department. Certain varieties of trees require spraying at 
one time of the year and others at another, and no man can 
carry in his memory the exact location of all the trees in 
a district so large as Manhattan. Without such maps there 
will always be a considerable variation in the efficiency of 
the spraying campaign from year to year. 

The information of this census should be further comple- 
mented by a map showing the location of all past and future 
planting, and thus serve as a record of progress w-hen used in 
connection with the maps of the proposed street tree system 
which accompauies this report. 



XL ^trfd iEvn piatttittg ttt EirlimonJi 



The j^roblem of planting; and maintaining street trees in 
the Borongh of Richmond is, of course, radically different 
from that in Manhattan, since the general condition in the 
various towns and villages of Staten Island are normally 
those of a surburban community. One would naturally ex- 
pect to find on Staten Island conditions for growing street 
trees of a most favorable nature, and in many cases this is 
true. However, due to the unusually narrow streets which 
prevail, this is not always the case. 

It is doubtful if we will find anywhere in the country 
streets with such uniformly narrow parkings (often no more 
than twelve or eighteen inches wide), as exist in this bor- 
ough. The condition has doubtless come about as a result 
of adapting modern street design with its paved roadway, 
curbs and sidewalks to ancient counti'v roads, without hav- 
ing these roads replated, widened and laid out as city streets 
of normal street widths. This condition is a very serious 
one not only from the standpoint of the city forester but 
from that of the city planner who must foresee a growth to 
city conditions in this borough similar to that taking place 
in the other sections of ISTew York City. It may be and 
probably is out of the question to widen the older streets at 
this time, although it may have to be done some day. How- 
ever, all new streets should certainly be provided with more 
generous parking areas. It is evidently not always the 
custom to do so, for in several cases new streets have been 
built wdiicli follow the style of the older thoroughfares, with 
parkings from one to three feet wide. 

Neio Planting: 

In selecting trees for new planting in the narrow park- 
ings of Richmond we should endeavor to secure trees of 
small size and moderate growth, not only that these narrow 

(87) 



88 College of Forestry 

streets may not be overcrowded with foliage, but in order 
that the unsightly appearance of heaving sidewalks and 
broken curbs may be reduced to a minimum. 

The Platanus Orientalis {The Plane Tree), so beautiful 
and hardy, and such a favorite for street use in other parts 
of the city is not suitable for the narrow streets of Staten 
Island although first rate on the wider thoroughfares. Its 
growth is so rapid that a large size is qviickly obtained 
making the disruption of curb and sidewalk a continuous 
annoyance. 

The Quercus Palustris {The Phi Oah) and the Gringko 
would be much more admirable trees for our purpose. The 
narrow spread and slow rate of growth make them well 
adapted for the narrow streets and scant parkings. 

On the wider streets of Richmond where the sidewalks 
and parking areas are of reasonable width almost any satis- 
factory street tree such as the ISTorway Maple, Linden, Elm, 
etc., can be grown, since the general conditions of soil, 
moisture and air are excellent. 

Exist inr/ Planting : 

The trees which at present exist in Richmond, especially 
on the older streets are almost universally Soft or Silver 
Maples (Acer Saccharinum) . Always a poor street tree, 
this tree is especially unsuitable here. Its rapid growth 
and large size have already played havoc with much of the 
curbing and sidewalk, while the tendency of the tree to be 
broken by wind and stoi-m has caused them to be pruned 
severely and wrongly, which has given ugly shaped trees full 
of dead and dying branches. 

The great majority of these old trees contain much dead 
wood, and are not worth pruning since such a process must 
be a continual and expensive one if the trees are to be kept 
in any reasonably attractive condition. It will be far better 
to remove them as rapidly as possible and replace with bet- 
ter varieties of trees such as T have suggested. 

In order to reduce any public clamor which might arise 
at a wholesale removal of these trees, sufficient tliinning 



A Street Tree System for New York City 89 

could be done to permit new planting at fifty-foot intervals 
with young trees. After a few years when the new trees 
have attained a fair size the remaining old maples could be 
removed, and would be scarcely missed. 

There are no park areas woi-tli mentioning at present 
existing in Richmond, so that no attempt has been made to 
suggest any system of tree planting as has been done for 
Manhattan. Doubtless in the near future a well organized 
park system will be Avorked out for this borough, and at 
that time a system of streets for tree planting should be 
decided upon to form those park connections which it is 
not possible to secure by parkway? and boulevards. 



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PL-AN SHOWING 
PROPOSED SYSTEM OF STREET TREE PLANTING 

f^OPOUGH OF MANHATTAN 



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